Psychological approach to determination
Self- determination theory suggests that all humans have three basic needs:
autonomy, relatedness and competence.
Autonomy- the feeling that one has choice and willingly endorsing one's
behaviour.
Relatedness- the need to feel connected and belonging with others.
Competence- the experience of mastery and being effective in one’s activity.
Early ideas of motivation simply suggested that you either have it (you are
motivated) or you don’t (you are not motivated, or unmotivated). However,
more than 40 years of research has shown that motivation is much more
complex than this. The quality of motivation (autonomous or controlled) is key
to both satisfaction and sustained success in achieving one’s goals.
Autonomy is supported by attempting to grasp and acknowledge the person's
wishes, preferences and perspectives, conveying understanding of their point
of view, providing a rationale for engaging in a behaviour, and providing
choice in how to behave. Supporting someone’s autonomy also means
refraining from trying to control or pressure them to act in a certain way.
Competence is supported by providing the person with optimal challenges
and opportunities (specific goals that are challenging enough, but not
overwhelming), encouraging their sense of initiation (try it out!), providing
structure (for example, evidence-based health recommendations) to mobilise
and organise behaviour and providing relevant feedback.
Finally, relatedness is supported when others are involved and show interest
in the person’s activities, are empathic in responding to their feelings and
convey that the person is significant, cared for, and loved.
Self- determination theory suggests that all humans have three basic needs:
autonomy, relatedness and competence.
Autonomy- the feeling that one has choice and willingly endorsing one's
behaviour.
Relatedness- the need to feel connected and belonging with others.
Competence- the experience of mastery and being effective in one’s activity.
Early ideas of motivation simply suggested that you either have it (you are
motivated) or you don’t (you are not motivated, or unmotivated). However,
more than 40 years of research has shown that motivation is much more
complex than this. The quality of motivation (autonomous or controlled) is key
to both satisfaction and sustained success in achieving one’s goals.
Autonomy is supported by attempting to grasp and acknowledge the person's
wishes, preferences and perspectives, conveying understanding of their point
of view, providing a rationale for engaging in a behaviour, and providing
choice in how to behave. Supporting someone’s autonomy also means
refraining from trying to control or pressure them to act in a certain way.
Competence is supported by providing the person with optimal challenges
and opportunities (specific goals that are challenging enough, but not
overwhelming), encouraging their sense of initiation (try it out!), providing
structure (for example, evidence-based health recommendations) to mobilise
and organise behaviour and providing relevant feedback.
Finally, relatedness is supported when others are involved and show interest
in the person’s activities, are empathic in responding to their feelings and
convey that the person is significant, cared for, and loved.
