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Motivation and self-determination theory
Goals are linked with challenge. When challenges match our skill levels or just push/stretch us a little beyond what we are used to, we can enter into the psychological domain of flow. Flow is the total absorption in the task that leads to an engaged life and enhanced positive emotions (see page 79 for more information). So when making a life list choose wisely and make sure your list includes all the above. If you stay flexible you will be open to more opportunities.
Motivation and self-determination theory
G
oals link heavily with self-determination theory (SDT) (Chapter 4). Selfdetermination theory is a positive psychology theory of motivation, which posits that humans strive to be self-governed, where their behaviour is ‘volitional, intentional and self-caused or self-initiated’ (Wehmeyer and Little, 2009: 869). Originally, Ryan and Deci wanted to understand the conditions that promote intrinsic motivation. Over the decades, they concluded that the social environment has a powerful influence in promoting intrinsically healthy, self-determined development and satisfying our three basic needs (autonomy, relatedness and competence). When intrinsically motivated, people want to engage in the activity; they need no external prompts, promises, or threats to initiate action. Being intrinsically motivated also enhances wellbeing, engagement and success. Extrinsic actions, on the other hand, offer a reward separable from the behaviour itself.
Think about it…
I
n general, are your goals more extrinsic versus intrinsically based? Does it depend on the goal? Write down your current goals and reflect on whether you are striving for intrinsic versus extrinsic rewards.
Of course, we can’t be intrinsically motivated all the time. Especially as we get older, we need to do or are told to do things that we would otherwise not choose to do (homework, housework, and so forth). What happens then? Ryan and Deci’s selfdetermination continuum (Figure 7.1) tackles this conundrum, proposing six types of motivations applicable in the quest for becoming self-determined. The first type is amotivation – when an individual has absolutely no motivation to do what is asked and will most likely not do it. The next stage is external regulation, where one is not self-determined and controlled by external forces. This individual will most likely do what is asked because someone is ‘making them do it’. Introjected regulation occurs when someone is motivated to do something based on guilt if they do not do it. This is more an internalized ‘ought to, should do’ rather than a ‘want to’ type of motivation.
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