Linking self-determination theory and motive disposition theories

Completed Research Project

Title / Titel: Linking self-determination theory and motive disposition theories

Summary / Zusammenfassung: The present research links self-determination theory, which defines psychological needs as universally essential experiences, with motive disposition theories, which define psychological needs as individually varying non-conscious motives, in order to explain optimal motivation. Cross-sectional as well as longitudinal studies show that felt competence has especially positive effects on reported optimal motivation for individuals higher in achievement motivation. Consistent with classic motive disposition theories, this moderator relationship is only found for implicit achievement motivation, and not for explicitly measured achievement motivation. Discussion focuses on the importance of integrating self-determination theory’s basic needs approach with motive disposition theory’s acquired non-conscious motives approach, to derive a complete understanding of human motivation.

Publications / Publikationen: Schüler, J., Sheldon, K.M., & Fröhlich, S. M. Implicit need for achievement moderates the relationship between felt competence and subsequent motivation. Journal of Research in Personality (2009), doi: 10.1016/j.jrp.2009.09.002.

Keywords / Suchbegriffe: self-determination theory, achievement motive, dispositional motive

Project Leadership and Contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte

Dr. Julia Schüler (Project Leader)

Funding Source(s) / Unterstützt durch: Universität Zürich (position pursuing an academic career)

In Collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit

Kennon M. Sheldon, University of Missouri, Columbia	United States
Stephanie M. Fröhlich, Institut für Rehabilitationsforschung Norderney e.V., Rehaklinikum Bad Rothenfelde, Münsterland	Germany