Deci and Ryan

How does this link to children?

Children at their healthiest are active, inquisitive and curious, even in the absence of extrinsic rewards. However, the maintenance and enhancement of this can be disrupted by non supportive conditions

What are people at their best?

Curious, vital and self motivated. They inspire, show endeavour, extend themselves and strive to learn new skills.

What is intrinsic motivation?

Deci and Ryan define intrinsic motivation as the inherent tendency to seek out challenges, to extend and exercise one's capacities, to explore, and to learn.

What can hinder and undermine self motivation as well as social functioning and well being?

Environmental factors

What happens in contrast to this?

In contrast, choice, acknowledgement of feelings and opportunities for self direction were found to enhance intrinsic motivation because they allow greater feeling of autonomy.

What may feelings of competence enhance?

Intrinsic motivation, particularly when accompanied by a sense of autonomy or internal focus of causality.

What does this suggest?

More than mere disposition or biological endowment. Social contexts affect differences in motivation and personal growth, resulting in some people being more self motivated and energised in some situations than others.

What is the nature of motivation?

Motivation concerns energy, direction, persistence and equifinality. A major focus of SDT has been to supply a ore differentiated approach to motivation. SDT has identified distinct types of motivation which has consequences for learning, performance, personal experience and well being.

What theory did Deci and Ryan put forward?

Self determination theory

What is also apparent?

That human spirit can be diminished or crushed. Both children and adults can become apathetic, alienated and irresponsible.

What did Deci and Ryan formulate?

The cognitive evaluation theory which focuses on the effects of reward and feedback on intrinsic motivation

What are these seen to do?

Thwart the three basic psychological needs mentioned before

What can diminish intrinsic motivation?

extrinsic rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation but also threats, deadlines, directives and imposed goals can do this.

What three needs of self motivation did the researchers identify?

the need for competence (Harter) the need for relatedness (Baumesiter and Leary) and the need for autonomy (deCharms and Carpenter)

What happens to students who are taught with a more controlling approach?

they not only lose initiative but learn less effectively.