Self determination theory attempts to explain aspects of human motivation and personality.

The theory was developed by psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, and it has been used to explain why some people seem to be more motivated than others.

The theory posits that humans have three basic psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness — that must be met in order to experience optimal wellbeing.

Self determination theory says that it is our natural tendencies to satisfy our desire for autonomy, competence, and relatedness that drive our behavior.

When our needs are met, we feel competent, autonomous, and connected to others, and we are more likely to engage in activities that promote our wellbeing.

Conversely, when this need is not met, people are more likely to feel apathetic and uninterested.

Part of the theory is that humans are naturally motivated to grow and develop. Essential for growth, development, and optimal wellbeing are autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Experts have used the theory in a variety of settings like education, career counseling, and organizational psychology.

People use self determination theory to explain a wide range of human behavior. Here are some examples.

• Why we choose certain careers
• How we form relationships
• What determines academic achievement
• How to understand job satisfaction
• What drives health-related behaviors

The theory has also been used to inform interventions aimed at increasing motivation and promoting wellbeing.

The theory has been found to be particularly helpful in understanding why people persist in activities even when they are difficult or challenging.

Self determination theory can also help explain why some people give up easily when faced with difficulties.

There is considerable evidence that supports the efficacy of self determination theory.

The theory has been found to predict a variety of outcomes, including academic achievement, job satisfaction, physical activity levels, and more.

Self determination theory is concerned with the motivations that drives people to behave in certain ways and how these motivations can be understood and changed.

The three main psychological needs that self determination theory posits are critical for influencing an individuals wellbeing are the following.

• Autonomy: the need for self-direction and control
• Competence: the need to feel competent and capable
• Relatedness: the need to feel connected to others

Self determination theory suggests that these three needs are universal and that all people have them to some extent.

According to the theory, autonomy, competence, and relatedness are are essential for human development and functioning — humans would not be able to grow or thrive without them.

They are, moreover, the foundation of human motivation — humans desire to meet these needs that drives us to behave as we do.

Self determination theory also says the three main psychological needs provide a framework for understanding human behavior — by understanding the role these needs play in motivating us, we can better predict and explain what people do.

The extent to which each need is present varies from person to person.

People who are more autonomous are more likely to be motivated by personal goals and to seek out new challenges.

People who are more competence-oriented are motivated by a desire to achieve and improve their skills.

People who are more relatedness-oriented are motivated by a desire for social connection and belonging.

With the framework, people have used self determination theory to explain why some people are more successful than others in achieving their goals.

People also use self determination theory to understand why some people find it difficult to change their behavior despite wanting to do so.

The self determination theory defines autonomy as our need for control over our own lives.

It is the desire to be in charge of one's own destiny and is a fundamental human motivator.

While all three of the basic psychological needs are important, autonomy is especially so because we all have a natural tendency towards independence and self-sufficiency.

Self determination theory holds that people are happiest and most productive when they feel in control of their own lives and are free to pursue their own goals.

When we feel autonomous, we feel competent and capable of taking care of ourselves.

Self determination theory defines competence as our need to learn new skills and how to perform a variety of tasks.

The theory says that people are more motivated to do something if it makes them more competent.

When we feel competent, we feel more autonomous and more capable of achieving our goals.

The self determination theory defines relatedness as our need to feel connected to others.

The need for relatedness is thought to be central to human nature.

Self determination theory says that relatedness is thought to motivate many of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

This need for relatedness can be met in different ways and depends on the individual and circumstances.

Some people may get their needs met through close relationships with family and friends, while others may find relatedness through their work or hobbies.

Life events may also impact an individual's need to feel connected. For instance, the death of a loved one or the birth of a child may change how an individual needs to feel relatedness.

Whatever the case may be, when this need is not met, it can lead to negative consequences such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

The components of self determination theory can be used to design interventions that promote motivation and wellbeing.

For example, if someone is struggling to lose weight, an intervention that helps them feel more autonomous in their decision making may be more successful than one that simply tells them what they should do.

Therefore, having the individual choose their own activities and set achievable goals that result in weight loss may provide motivation through autonomy and competence.

Similarly, if someone is feeling isolated at work, an intervention that helps them feel more connected to their colleagues may be more successful than one that focuses solely on giving advice.

What follows then is that creating opportunities for social interaction or providing support during difficult times would likely drive better outcomes than a pamphlet explaining how to connect with others.

Other examples exist of ways to use self determination theory to design incentives that align with the human need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. We hope to write more about them later.