Self-Determination Theory

 

Self-Determination Theory(SDT)

    Human lives involve a variety of visible and invisible behaviors. To understand these behaviors, we need to know what drives and motivates humans? Also, we need to know what factors affect motivation? Different theories tried to explain motivation. But a lot of theories focused on studying the amount of motivation. That derived Edward Deci and Richard Ryan to develop a theory called a self-determination theory (SDT) to understand the types of motivation, rather than the amount of motivation. This contemporary theory is distinct between intrinsic (autonomous) motivation and extrinsic (controlled) motivation. According to this theory, extrinsic motivation refers to doing something for the sack of rewards or avoiding a punishment. In this case, behavior focused on outside factors. On the other hand, intrinsic motivation arises from within the individual. The behavior will be derived with a full sense of volition, choice, enjoyment, and value. So, the individual will be autonomously motivated. People with intrinsic motivation are wholeheartedly behind the thing that they are doing. And because of that wholeheartedness, their performance tends to be better than how extrinsically motivated people.

    One of the most interesting things in Ryan and Deci's theory is that extrinsic motivation could be transformed into autonomous regulation. People can internalize the extrinsic motivation (that may be rewarded or requested of them) like their own autonomously motivation if they understand the value of the activity, identify it with the value of it, and integrated it, so it's become a part of themselves.  Thus, they will be autonomously motivated, and the outcomes will be more positive.

External motivations types- Katniss Everdeen an example

    The death of Katniss's father was the biggest event that change her life.  after that her mother was severe depression, she and her sister Prim remained without a subsistence. 

 

 

    Katniss was forced to take on the duties of the head of the family under the pressure of external motives. Then this motivation developed over time until it reached a good level of autonomy. Here is an explanation for the External motivations types and how Katniss internalized that extrinsic motivation in such a way, so it's became a part of herself.

 

 

    The first stage (External Regulation): External behavior is performed to obtain an external demand, without that, the behavior will not be existing. In Katniss's case, she was under fear pressure if something bad could happen to her sister. Katniss says:

 

    The second stage (Introjected Regulation): involves taking in, but not truly accepting, it’s being motivated out of guilt. Katniss mention that, once she couldn’t find any food for her family, it was hard for her to return to her home without bringing something to eat. It is hard to see the pain in their faces. 

 

  

 

    The third stage (Identified Regulation): In this stage, a person voluntarily accepts a belief or behavior. Because that is seen as personally important or useful.

Katniss understands the value of her sister for herself, Prim was the only one who makes Katniss smile from her heart, Katniss tried to protect her sister as much as she can.

 

   

 

    The fourth stage (Integrated Regulation): integration is where identified behaviors are congruent with the person's own values and needs. Protecting Prim became the most important goal for Katniss. Thus, drove her to choose death instead of her sister. Her care about her sister will motivate Katniss during the game to win. this motivation will keep her on her feet. 

 

Katniss volunteers for Prim scene

 

    Katniss didn't choose to die! but she chose to protect her sister Prim with everything she owns. So she has given up her life for Prim. She did it with full of awareness and without hesitation. Prim was the only reason to keep Katniss alive after losing her parents, especially with all the difficult circumstances that she was going through. however, do you think Katniss will choose to participate in this kind of game by herself? To answer this question we need to know, what is the main goal of creating this game (as an external event)? and what is the effect of this competition on the players( specially in their motivation)? Let me answer this question vie using the Cognitive evaluation theory. Since understanding how any environmental events or external event impact another person’s motivation is the domain of this theory.

 

COGNITIVE EVALUATION THEORY (CET)

     Evaluation theory is one of the sub-theories of self-determination theory(SDT), which is concerned with giving predictions for the impact of external events and human motivation. The impact of an event on motivational processes is determined, not by the objective characteristics of the event, but rather by its psychological meaning for the individual, In his independence and competence. When an extrinsic event is presented in a controlling way (such as to gain acquiescence), it increases extrinsic motivation but decreases intrinsic motivation because of its detrimental effects on autonomy. When an extrinsic event is presented in an informational way (such as provide positive feedback ), it increases intrinsic motivation because of its favorable effect on competence. Hence, whether an extrinsic event is motivationally constructive or destructive depends on the relative salience of its controlling and informational aspects.

    let's return to our novel, mainly to the Hunger Game festival (like how the capital named it). This brutal game was created by the capital as punching for the other districts after the district 13 uprisings. The real goal was to clear, controlling them by fear. they meant to show the rest of the districts how the Capital is powerful, so they have to obey their orders.

    As this event, the extrinsic motivation will increase, in contrast, the intrinsic motivation will decrease.  Because of its detrimental effects on autonomy.