Definition
Self-determination theory (SDT) is a broad, motivational theory of development, personality, and wellness in social contexts. Most historical and contemporary motivation theories have treated motivation as a unitary concept that differs in amount but not type, but SDT has focused on differentiating types of motivation to make predictions about performance and psychological-health outcomes. The theory in particular distinguishes between autonomous and controlled motivations. To be autonomous involves acting with a full sense of volition, endorsement, and choice, whereas to be controlled involves feeling externally pressured or compelled to behave. Autonomous motivation encompasses intrinsic motivationand well-internalized extrinsic motivation, whereas controlled motivation encompasses regulation by external factors such as externally administered rewards and punishments or by partially internalized (i.e., introjected) contingencies such as ego-involvement, contingent...
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© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Ryan, R.M., Deci, E. (2014). Self-Determination Theory. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_2630
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