Brick by Brick: The Origins, Development, and Future of Self-Determination Theory

Richard M. Ryan, Edward L. Deci

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

404 Scopus citations

Abstract

Self-determination theory is a broad and widely applied theory of motivation, personality development, and wellness. The theory began with a narrow focus on intrinsic motivation but has expanded over time to encompass both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and spawned new perspectives on well-being, life-goals, relationship quality, vitality and depletion, and eudaimonia, among other topics. In this overview of SDT, we first discuss the value of broad theory for psychological science. We then describe the strategy behind SDT's development, and the unfolding of its core mini-theories and topical models, from early studies on intrinsic motivation to the enormous body of research being produced today by a global community of SDT scholars. Throughout we highlight evidence for the critical role of supports for autonomy, competence and relatedness in human development and thriving, and the strong practical and translational value of a functionally-focused, and empirically-supported, theoretical framework.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Motivation Science
EditorsAndrew J. Elliot
PublisherElsevier Ltd
Pages111-156
Number of pages46
ISBN (Print)9780128171226
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2019

Publication series

NameAdvances in Motivation Science
Volume6
ISSN (Print)2215-0919
ISSN (Electronic)2215-0927

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Autonomy
  • Basic psychological needs
  • Motivation
  • Self-determination theory

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