Integrating Self-determination Theory Research Articles

Exploring the regulation of need-satisfying goals: A baseline model

Intrinsic goals fulfill fundamental psychological needs for relatedness, competence, and autonomy. They tend to be self-determined, effectively pursued, and contribute to well-being. But even need-satisfying goals are pursued in the context of finite resources: How do we prioritize amongst multiple need-satisfying goals? Integrating self-determination theory with other needs theories, we proposed a baseline model whereby goals that are predominately relevant to relatedness would be prioritized over those predominately relevant to competence or autonomy. 202 participants completed a web survey about personal goals, including a goal sacrifice measure capturing within-person prioritization. Relatedness-predominant goals were prioritized over competence- and autonomy-predominant goals; this pattern was not accounted for by between-need differences in commitment and motivation regulation. People need autonomy, competence, and relatedness for optimal functioning, but in the face of limited resources they may prioritize goals that are predominately relevant to relatedness.

Entrepreneurial intention among University students in Malaysia: integrating self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior

The present study endeavors to develop a deeper understanding of the motivational processes involved in intentional entrepreneurial behavior. For this purpose, it integrates the social cognitive approach of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the organismic theory of motivation of self-determination theory (SDT). More specifically, it tests the role of basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness as defined in SDT in shaping university students’ attitudes and intentions toward entrepreneurship. The sample of this study consisted of 438 (Males = 166, Females =272) 3rd and 4th year university students from four Malaysian Public Universities. The results of the study show that the model strongly explains about 71% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention. Basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness have a strong indirect impact on entrepreneurial intention via their attitudinal antecedents: attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. This indicates a full-mediational model, where the attitudinal factors operated as transmitters of effects from the distal constructs of SDT on entrepreneurial intention. These findings confirm that both SDT and the TPB provide complementary explanations of the motivational processes of entrepreneurial behavior. The study contributes to the existing knowledge by providing a theory-based understanding of the role of motivations in the formation of entrepreneurial intentions. It opens the way for future research to analyze how alternative motivations may affect new venture creation, survival and success.

Predicting Consumer Purchase Intention on Fashion Products in Online Retailer: Integration of Self Determination Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior

Consumer behavior is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Besides coming from an individual, it is also influenced by social environment. Understanding consumer behavior motivated by psychological needs from consumer-self is necessitated, because motivation coming from within ‘self’ can instigate consumer’s well being. It can be viewed from consumer intention to perform a certain behavior. Based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this research attempts to understand the role of self-determination and social cognition in consumer behavior when they buy fashion products from online retailers. This research was conducted on 240 internet users in Indonesia. The data were obtained from questionnaires, analyzed using variance-based SEM, and processed using PLS.Research findings show that TPB variables, such as attitude and behavioral control and self determination motivation as SDT variables influence purchase intention. However, subjective norms do not influence purchase intention on fashion products in online retailers.

Development and Initial Validation of the Need Satisfaction and Need Support at Work Scales: A Validity-Focused Approach

Although the relevance of employee need satisfaction and manager need support have been examined, the integration of self-determination theory (SDT) into work and organizational psychology has been ...

The role of self-determination theory in developing curriculum for flipped classroom learning: A Case Study of First-Year Business Undergraduate Course

This study examines the influence of adopting a student-centered active learning approach based on self-determination theory (SDT) to develop independent and motivated first-year Australian business undergraduates. Existing literature demonstrates how active learningapproaches can help to improve student motivation. However, there are no empirical studies to assess the influence of active learningclassroom activities on student academic performance during their first year of tertiary studies. The aim of our study is to contribute to knowledge by integrating self-determination theory, and ‘at-home ethnographic’ research approach to reflect on how active learning-classroom strategies can help tertiary business students become independent learners and improve their academic performance. The active learning-classroom approach included a scaffolded assessment structure; timely and ongoing tutor feedback on assessment criteria and learning outcomes of the scaffolded assessments; and social/peer-based learning activities within and outside of the classroom to support student performance. The authors draw on an ‘at-home ethnographic’ research approach, which allowed the teaching team to use their observations during the 13 weeks of teaching, and team reflections, to describe not only what they witnessed, but also their experiences of how students interacted, and what they did within the classroom environment. The study shows that students became autonomous and positively benefited from the scaffolded assessment structure while evolving to become competent, independent learners due to the continuous feedback they received on their assessments, and to the active peer learning within and outside of the classroom. Moreover, the group assessments provided a platform to engage with academic literature, which, in turn, helped students to challenge their understanding of the concepts by engaging in critical analysis with their peers. The findings can help future tertiary learning designers to develop first year assessments that will support students to become independent learners and reduce the level of attrition during the first year of tertiary education.

To reward or develop identification in online brand communities: evidence from emerging markets

ABSTRACTThe utilization of online brand community (OBC) has attracted significant attention in academic and practical areas given the prevailing recognition of IT-enabled cooperation with customers. Conflicting results have been obtained despite the extensive research conducted on the motivations of customer participation in OBCs. These results overlook the possible impacts of the regulatory orientations adopted by customers in their goal pursuit process. According to regulatory fit theory, a match between regulatory-focused orientation and the means used to approach the goal can increase task engagement. Therefore, this study attempts to bridge this gap by integrating self-determination theory, regulatory focus theory, and regulatory fit theory with the application of IT to uncover the relationship among community motivation, regulatory focus, and customer participation. This approach aims to improve economic and social benefits to determine whether to reward or develop identification in different situations. The empirical results support most of our hypothesis. Regulatory fit (community reward, prevention focus, brand identification, and promotion focus) strengthens customer participation behavior, whereas nonfit (brand identification and prevention focus) relieves customer participation. The theoretical and practical implications for firms in emerging markets are also provided.

Collective Self-Determination: How the Agent of Help Promotes Pride, Well-Being, and Support for Intergroup Helping.

This research integrates self-determination theory and the social identity approach to investigate the notion of collective (group level) self-determination, and to test how the agent of intergroup help (helping initiated by a group representative versus group members) shapes group members' motives and support for intergroup helping. Study 1 ( N = 432) demonstrates that collective self-determination predicts support for intergroup helping, group pride, and well-being, over and above individual-level self-determined motivation. Study 2 ( N = 216) confirmed that helping by group members was seen as more collectively self-determined than helping by a group representative, producing effects on pride, well-being, and support. Study 3 ( N = 124) explores a qualifier of these effects: People who identify more strongly with the leader who is providing the help also experience representative helping as more collectively self-determined, thereby promoting well-being, group pride, and support. Findings highlight the value of integrating self-determination theory with intergroup theories to consider collective aspects of self-determination.

Flow at Work and Basic Psychological Needs: Effects on Well-Being

Recent conceptual work draws meaningful distinctions between experiential and declarative well-being (Shmotkin, 2005), but little has been done to apply such distinctions in organisational psychology. We use this framework to integrate self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) and flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975), leading to hypotheses proposing that flow experiences at work (experiential well-being) lead to declarative well-being outcomes through their influence on the satisfaction of basic psychological needs for competence and autonomy. Findings from a two-week experience sampling study of full-time employees offer support for our hypotheses. This study also shows support for the moderating effect of individual differences in personality on the relationships among flow experiences, need fulfillment, and declarative well-being.

Stressful life events and adolescent Internet addiction: The mediating role of psychological needs satisfaction and the moderating role of coping style

Although stressful life events have been shown to play an important role in adolescent Internet addiction, little is known about mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation. Based on the integration of self-determination theory and stress-coping theory, the present study investigated (a) the mediating role of psychological needs satisfaction in the relationship between stressful life events and Internet addiction, and (b) the moderating role of coping style in the indirect and direct relationships between stressful life events and Internet addiction. This model was tested with 998 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 15.15 years, SD = 1.57). Participants filled out questionnaires regarding stressful life events, psychological needs satisfaction, coping style, and Internet addiction. After demographic variables were controlled, stressful life events were significantly positively associated with Internet addiction. Mediation analysis revealed that psychological needs satisfaction partially mediated the association between stressful life events and Internet addiction. Moderated mediation analysis further indicated that the mediated path was weaker for adolescents with higher levels of positive coping style. These findings underscore the importance of identifying the mechanisms that moderate the mediated paths between stressful life events and adolescent Internet addiction.

From perceived autonomy support to intentional behaviour: Testing an integrated model in three healthy-eating behaviours

A motivational model integrating self-determination theory, the theory of planned behaviour, and the health action process approach was tested in three samples in three behavioural contexts: fruit and vegetable, breakfast, and snack consumption. Perceived support for autonomous (self-determined) forms of motivation from parents and autonomous motivation from self-determination theory were hypothesised to predict intention and behaviour indirectly via the mediation of attitude and perceived behavioural control from the theory of planned behaviour. It was also expected that planning strategies would mediate the effect of intention on behaviour. Relations in the proposed models were expected to be similar across the behaviours. A two-wave prospective design was adopted. Three samples of high-school students (total N = 1041; 59.60% female; M age = 17.13 years ± 1.57) completed measures of perceived autonomy support, autonomous motivation, theory of planned behaviour constructs, planning strategies and behaviour for each of the three behavioural contexts. Three months later, 816 participants (62,24% female; M age: 17.13 years, SD = 1.58) of the initial sample self-reported their behaviour referred to the previous three months. Structural equation models provided support for the key hypothesised effects of the proposed model for the three health-related behaviours. Two direct effects were significantly different across the three behaviours: the effect of perceived autonomy support on perceived behavioural control and the effect of attitude on intention. In addition, planning strategies mediated the effect of intention on behaviour in fruit and vegetable sample only. Findings extend knowledge of the processes by which psychological antecedents from the theories affect energy-balance related behaviours.

Exploring the signaling function of idiosyncratic deals and their interaction

By adopting signaling theory as the overarching framework and integrating self-determination theory, we examined the signaling function of task i-deals, financial i-deals, and their interaction. Across three studies with varying measures, we found that task i-deals, independently and jointly with financial i-deals, conveyed a positive message regarding competence in that they were positively related to recipients’ competence need satisfaction. In turn, competence need satisfaction positively related to organizational citizenship behaviors. The competence-signaling function of task i-deals and task-financial i-deals interaction remained significant even after accounting for leader–member exchange, organization-based self-esteem, and perceived organizational support. Financial i-deals, however, did not exhibit a competence-signaling function. The current research sheds light on the signaling function of i-deals and their interaction, and provides guidance on the practice of granting one or multiple types of i-deals.

I Move: systematic development of a web-based computer tailored physical activity intervention, based on motivational interviewing and self-determination theory

BackgroundThis article describes the systematic development of the I Move intervention: a web-based computer tailored physical activity promotion intervention, aimed at increasing and maintaining physical activity among adults. This intervention is based on the theoretical insights and practical applications of self-determination theory and motivational interviewing.Methods/designSince developing interventions in a systemically planned way increases the likelihood of effectiveness, we used the Intervention Mapping protocol to develop the I Move intervention. In this article, we first describe how we proceeded through each of the six steps of the Intervention Mapping protocol. After that, we describe the content of the I Move intervention and elaborate on the planned randomized controlled trial.DiscussionBy integrating self-determination theory and motivational interviewing in web-based computer tailoring, the I Move intervention introduces a more participant-centered approach than traditional tailored interventions. Adopting this approach might enhance computer tailored physical activity interventions both in terms of intervention effectiveness and user appreciation. We will evaluate this in an randomized controlled trial, by comparing the I Move intervention to a more traditional web-based computer tailored intervention.Trial registrationNTR4129

Integrating self-determination theory with the social ecological model to understand students' physical activity behaviors

In light of the well-documented health benefits of engaging in regular physical activity, much concern has been voiced about inadequate participation in physical activity among school-aged students in recent years. To promote school-aged students' physical activity participation and to achieve public health goals, there is an emerging trend to investigate multilevel theory-based correlates of physical activity to complement the conventional research paradigm of individual-centered influences on physical activity. The primary purpose of this article is to review the self-determination theory and social ecological model, and to provide a rationale for integrating these two frameworks. This approach has the potential to provide a clearer understanding of the decisions school-aged students make regarding being physically active. It can ultimately offer significant and promising insights regarding physical activity intervention strategies for promoting school-aged students' physical activity participation when their lifelong physical activity habits are being developed.

Self-Determination Theory and Romantic Relationship Processes

Self-determination theory can be viewed as a theory of optimal relationship development and functioning. We examine the concept of self that is employed in self-determination theory and explain how its unique definition allows an important and novel characterization of investing one’s “self” in romantic relationships. A self-determined perspective on romantic relationships integrates several theories on romantic relationship development, but also goes beyond them by explicitly articulating the personality, developmental, and situational factors that facilitate optimal self-investment and relational functioning. Self-determination promotes openness rather than defensiveness and facilitates perspective-taking, authenticity, and support of close others. The dyadic context of romantic relationships affords great opportunity for theoretical development and integration of self-determination theory with current theories of interdependence and relational well-being.

Self-determination at work: Understanding the role of leader-member exchange

Integrating self-determination theory (SDT) and leader-member exchange (LMX) theory, we explore the role of the leader in facilitating employee self-determination. We test a model of the linkages between employees’ leader-member exchanges, psychological need satisfaction (i.e., satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs), autonomous motivation, and attitudinal outcomes. We posit that high-quality leader-member exchanges facilitate satisfaction of employees’ fundamental psychological needs, which, in turn, enhance autonomous motivation and outcomes. Results for 283 working professionals supported this notion. Structural equation modeling indicated that the employee’s perception of the quality of the LMX was positively related to satisfaction of the needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Satisfaction of competence and autonomy needs was positively related to autonomous motivation, which, in turn, was associated with higher levels of job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, and subjective vitality. Our findings accentuate the role of leader-employee relationships in creating self-determination at work, and reinforce the importance of self-determination for employee attitudes and well-being. Limitations, implications, and directions for future research are discussed.

Testing and integrating self-determination theory and self-efficacy theory in a physical activity context.

Stemming from the need for theoretical integration, this study aimed at individually testing and integrating self-determination theory (SDT) and self-efficacy theory (SET) to predict physical activity. University students (n 225) completed questionnaires measuring constructs from SDT and SET as well as the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. Using path analysis, individual SDT and SET models and 2 hypothesised integrated models were tested. The preferred integrated model was selected on the basis of model fit indices. The selected integrated model was then compared with the individual theoretical models by examining the number of theoretical links that remained constant and the explained variance in the variables. Results revealed that the individual and integrated models were supported. The second integration model, which had self-determined motivation and confidence in equal agenic roles, had better model fit, 2 (7) 28.87, p .001, comparative fit index .95, root-mean-square error of approximation .12, standardized root mean residual .05, Akaike Information Criterion 84.87, and was preferred over the individual theoretical models. Overall, integrating 2 motivational theories in physical activity research is feasible, and more studies are needed to enhance our understanding of physical activity participation.

Theoretical Integration and the Psychology of Sport Injury Prevention

Integrating different theories of motivation to facilitate or predict behaviour change has received an increasing amount of attention within the health, sport and exercise science literature. A recent review article in Sports Medicine, by Keats, Emery and Finch presented an integrated model using two prominent theories in social psychology, self-determination theory (SDT) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), aimed at explaining and enhancing athletes' adherence to sport injury prevention. While echoing their optimistic views about the utility of these two theories to explain adherence in this area and the virtues of theoretical integration, we would like to seize this opportunity to clarify several conceptual principles arising from the authors' integration of the theories. Clarifying the theoretical assumptions and explaining precisely how theoretical integration works is crucial not only for improving the comprehensiveness of the integrated framework for predicting injury prevention behaviour, but also to aid the design of effective intervention strategies targeting behavioural adherence. In this article, we use the integration of SDT and TPB as an example to demonstrate how theoretical integration can advance the understanding of injury prevention behaviour in sport.

Theoretical Integration and the Psychology of Sport Injury Prevention

Integrating different theories of motivation to facilitate or predict behaviour change has received an increasing amount of attention within the health, sport and exercise science literature. A recent review article in Sports Medicine, by Keats, Emery and Finch presented an integrated model using two prominent theories in social psychology, self-determination theory (SDT) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), aimed at explaining and enhancing athletes' adherence to sport injury prevention. While echoing their optimistic views about the utility of these two theories to explain adherence in this area and the virtues of theoretical integration, we would like to seize this opportunity to clarify several conceptual principles arising from the authors' integration of the theories. Clarifying the theoretical assumptions and explaining precisely how theoretical integration works is crucial not only for improving the comprehensiveness of the integrated framework for predicting injury prevention behaviour, but also to aid the design of effective intervention strategies targeting behavioural adherence. In this article, we use the integration of SDT and TPB as an example to demonstrate how theoretical integration can advance the understanding of injury prevention behaviour in sport.

I love to do it or "I can do it?" Competing mechanisms in explaining creative deviance

Integrating self-determination theory and self-efficacy theory, we investigated creative deviance (Mainemelis, 2010), the violation of a managerial order to stop working on a new idea. Result from ...

The Effects of Extrinsic Motivations and Satisfaction in Open Source Software Development

As a new phenomenon in the software industry, Open Source Software (OSS) development has attracted a high level of research interest. Examining what motivates participants in OSS projects and how to enhance the effects of motivations has received increased attention in recent years. This study is prompted by the significant but detail-lacking examination of differential effects of various types of extrinsic motivations on participants’ task effort in OSS projects and their interaction effects with participants’ psychological states. Drawing upon self-determination theory, we establish four types of extrinsic motivations in OSS communities (i.e., external, introjected, identified, and integrated motivation) and investigate how these types affect task effort differently. Also, integrating self-determination theory with affective event theory, we study how satisfaction of needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness moderates the relationships between extrinsic motivations and task effort. The research model is largely supported by data from 250 participants in various OSS projects. Theoretical contribution and practical implications are discussed.