Self Determination Theory
Self-Determination Theory
Terika Harris
PSY/320
July 14, 2010
Dr. Helen Glenn-Beady
University of Phoenix
Self-Determination Theory
Do you find yourself pursing your goals or working towards them regardless of what is going on in your life? Well applying a positive individual motivation well help aid your goals. Motivation is a key characteristic that a person uses to inspire and encourage another person to do their best. In the workplace, there are several motivation theories that are used to handle employee and management situations. One of the motivation theories that are used is called the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). SDT represents an extensive framework for the study of human motivation and personality (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Within SDT, the need for healthy development and functioning are identified using the concept of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. SDT proposes that people’s actions are drive by theses three core psychological needs (Deci, 1971). One early Monday morning in the summer of 2008, I was at working as a Check Encoder in the Accounting department at Fred’s Inc. On the news board located in the break room was a job posting for a Payroll Administrator. I was very excited to see that posting on the board because that would be great opportunity for me. Even though I was excited about the position, I was also afraid to apply for the position because I did not have any payroll experience. My coworker, Mary Joiner tried to encourage me to apply for the position. She said that even though I do not have the work experience for payroll does not give me the reason to turn down the opportunity to advance within the company. Mary encouraged me to promote self-determination within myself. So with the motivation that I received from Mary gave me the confidence I needed to apply for the payroll position. The Self-Determination Theory that was applied in this situation was that
Terika Harris
PSY/320
July 14, 2010
Dr. Helen Glenn-Beady
University of Phoenix
Self-Determination Theory
Do you find yourself pursing your goals or working towards them regardless of what is going on in your life? Well applying a positive individual motivation well help aid your goals. Motivation is a key characteristic that a person uses to inspire and encourage another person to do their best. In the workplace, there are several motivation theories that are used to handle employee and management situations. One of the motivation theories that are used is called the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). SDT represents an extensive framework for the study of human motivation and personality (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Within SDT, the need for healthy development and functioning are identified using the concept of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. SDT proposes that people’s actions are drive by theses three core psychological needs (Deci, 1971). One early Monday morning in the summer of 2008, I was at working as a Check Encoder in the Accounting department at Fred’s Inc. On the news board located in the break room was a job posting for a Payroll Administrator. I was very excited to see that posting on the board because that would be great opportunity for me. Even though I was excited about the position, I was also afraid to apply for the position because I did not have any payroll experience. My coworker, Mary Joiner tried to encourage me to apply for the position. She said that even though I do not have the work experience for payroll does not give me the reason to turn down the opportunity to advance within the company. Mary encouraged me to promote self-determination within myself. So with the motivation that I received from Mary gave me the confidence I needed to apply for the payroll position. The Self-Determination Theory that was applied in this situation was that
References: Deci, E.L., and Ryan, R.M. (1985) Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior (New York: Plenum). Deci, E.L (1971) “Effects of externally medicated rewards on intrinsic motivation”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 18: 105-115. Ryan, R.M. & Deci, E.L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of Intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68-78.