Assumptions+How it works

• Assumptions of the Theory

  The need for growth drives behaviour
• First assumption of self-determination theory


  • People are always actively seeking to grow and improve
• Gaining mastery over challengers

  • Essential for developing a sense of self
• Autonomous motivation


  Important
• Extrinsic motivation


  Motivated to act by external rewards such as money, prizes, and acclaim
• Intrinsic motivation


  Internal sources of motivation such as a need to gain knowledge or independence
• The psychological growth described by self-determination theory does not happen automatically
• The tendency to be either proactive or passive is largely influenced by the social conditions in which we are raised
• Social support


  • Key for fostering or thwarting well-being and personal growth
• Extrinsic motivators


  Can sometimes lower self-determination
• Giving people extrinsic rewards for intrinsically motivated behaviour


  Can undermine autonomy and diminish intrinsic motivation
• Offering unexpected positive encouragement and feedback on a person's task performance

  Can increase intrinsic motivation
• Positive feedback can boost self-determination
• Strengths and limitations

  • One limitation is that the theory does not account for the social and cultural factors that influence motivation and behaviour.
  • Additionally, the theory has been criticized for placing too much emphasis on individualistic cultures and neglecting the role of collectivist cultures in shaping motivation and behaviour.
  • Its main weaknesses are its complexity and low predictive power
  • the main strengths of Self-Determination Theory are the range of topics it can be applied to and a large amount of research it has generated in the last decades.
• Self-Determination Theory is an overarching framework that explains human motivation and development across various domains such as work, education, health, sports, relationships, and parenting. It emphasizes three basic psychological needs - competence, relatedness, and autonomy - which must be satisfied for optimal functioning and well-being.