Self Determination Theory

Goals

1. Describe Self-Determination Theory (SDT).
   
2. Apply it skillfully to increase flourishing for yourself and others.

Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan)

Deci and Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory (SDT) holds that people thrive when three basic psychological needs are met:

• Relatedness: the need to feel connected, cared for, and to experience belonging.
  
• Competence: the need to feel effective — to build mastery, influence the environment, and achieve desired outcomes.
  
• Autonomy: the need to feel free to choose, initiate, and organize one’s own actions and experiences.

Summary: Human motivation and well-being depend on satisfying three innate needs — relatedness, competence, and autonomy.

Truth Claims: SDT’s claims are widely accepted across psychology, education, health, and management. Strong evidence shows that these three needs consistently predict motivation, well-being, and performance. Ongoing debates concern whether the needs are universal across all cultures and how best to measure them.

Rationale (WIFM)

1. Apply SDT to enhance your own flourishing — more motivation, energy, and well-being.
   
2. Apply SDT to enhance the flourishing of others — more effective teaching, leading, coaching, and relationships.

Applying SDT (How To)

To apply SDT, continually strengthen the three causal factors for yourself and others:

• Build Relatedness: deepen connections, show care, and cultivate belonging.
  
• Grow Competence: develop skills, recognize progress, and create opportunities for mastery.
  
• Support Autonomy: expand freedom of choice, encourage ownership, and respect self-direction.

Flourishing rises as these needs are more fully met.

Memory Science (Info → LTM)

Here are some ways to apply memory science so that Self-Determination Theory (SDT) sticks in your long-term memory (LTM).

• Attention First: Give SDT your full focus. Say the three needs aloud — relatedness, competence, autonomy — so they stand out.
  
• Chunking: Think of SDT as one “chunk” with three parts. Hold it as “R–C–A” (Relatedness, Competence, Autonomy).
  
• Active Recall: Close your notes and ask: What are the three needs in SDT? Repeat until you can recall them instantly.
  
• Spaced Repetition: Review SDT today, tomorrow, next week, and again later. Short, repeated reviews strengthen memory.
  
• Dual Coding: Draw a triangle with each corner labeled R, C, and A. Picture SDT as a “three-legged stool” that tips over if one leg is missing.
  
• Elaboration: Connect each need to personal experience:
  • Relatedness → a time you felt belonging.
    
  • Competence → a skill you mastered.
    
  • Autonomy → a choice you freely made.
    
• Sleep: Review SDT before sleep — the brain consolidates memories overnight.
  
• Application: Use SDT as a lens: Does this activity give me relatedness, competence, and autonomy? Each use strengthens recall.

Summary: Remember SDT by encoding it as R–C–A, linking each part to personal examples, and revisiting it over time.