Self-Determination Theory

Question 1

Define Organismic

Answer 1

Humans are active, growth‐ oriented organisms, who are self‐motivated to
seek optimal challenge and new experiences to
master and integrate a coherent sense of self

Question 2

Define Dialectal

Answer 2

An interplay exists between the active self and various forces (external and
internal)

Question 3

Name the 5 interrelated mini theories

Answer 3

> Cognitive Evaluation Theory
> Organismic Integration Theory
> Basic Psychological Needs Theory
> Goal Content Theory
> Causality Orientation Theory

Question 4

What does the cognitive evaluation theory suggest?

Answer 4

The CET suggest that competence and autonomy in an individual, is the cause of intrinsic motivation.

Deci & Ryan (1980)

Question 5

What does the organismic integration theory suggest?

Answer 5

▪ Focussed on elaborating the different types of
extrinsic motivation (action governed by outcomes
extrinsic to the behaviour itself)
▪ Extrinsic factors vary on a continuum of autonomy from:
> (Least) External regulation
> Introjected Regulation
> Identified Regulation
> (Most) Integrated Regulation

Deci & Ryan (1985)

Question 6

What does the Basic Psychological Needs Theory suggest?

Answer 6

▪ Although humans have a
natural inclination to
actualize their capacities,
they do not live in a social
void.
▪ Social context can
support or impede this
process
▪ Competence, Autonomy and Relatedness all make up factors of autonomous motivation.

Ryan & Deci (2000)

Question 7

What does the Goal Content Theory suggest?

Answer 7

▪ Intrinsic goals -> focussed on developing personal
interests, values, and potentials -> supportive of
basic psychological need satisfaction
▪ Extrinsic goals -> focussed on external indicators
of worth (e.g., fame, wealth) -> less supportive, or
even undermining, of basic psychological needs

Question 8

What does the Causality Orientation Theory suggest?

Answer 8

People possess orientations that have resulted from
their repeated interactions with the environment:
▪ Autonomy orientation
▪ Controlled orientation
▪ Impersonal orientation

Question 9

What is Self Determination Theory?

Answer 9

SDT is an approach to human motivation and personality that uses traditional empirical methods while employing an organismic metatheory that highlights the importance of humans’ evolved inner resources for personality development and behavioral self-regulation

Question 10

What are the 6 types of motivation that exist according to the SDT?

Answer 10

> Amotivation (Non-regulation)
> External regulation * 
> Introjected Regulation *
> Identified Regulation * 
> Integrated Regulation *
> Intrinsic Motivation (Intrinsic motivation)

*All types of extrinsic motivation

Question 11

What is the outcome of having high Basic Psychological Needs

Answer 11

Adaptive outcomes (self-determined motivation, wellbeing, performance engagement)

Question 12

Basic Psychological needs are what…

Answer 12

Are a mechanism
through which the environment can impact
motivation