Self Determination Theory Paper

Improved Essays
The concept of self-actualization is defined as reaching one’s full potential as a human being. The concept originates from and organismic meta-theory meaning humans are not born empty to be filled, but are actively in pursuit of actualization. Humans are genetically setup to thrive in their environment in the best way possible if given the correct tools. The Self Determination Theory is used to explain actualization and defines it as normal human potentials. The theory assumes that humans want to be proactive to move toward refinement and integration in self-functioning, (Deci, Ryan, & Guay, 2013). Full-functioning is another phrase for self-actualization and is theoretically linked to eudaimonic well-being, (Bauer, J. J., Schwab, J. …show more content…
There is usually a tangible reward. There are differing degrees of autonomy in this behavior ranging from integrated to internalized. The lowest degree of autonomy is external extrinsic behavior, where there is no internalization whatsoever. The behavior is solely based on external rewards, like punishment, for example. There can be negative consequences of external extrinsic behavior. College students who choose their major based on what their parents want them to do, and not what they want, will ultimately be unhappy and would likely end up using negative coping skills to deal with their unhappiness. Introjected extrinsic behavior is the next highest degree of autonomy and includes partial internalization. The behavior exists within the person as a form of control and could result in shame or guilt as a consequence. For example, a young girl with an eating disorder would tell herself she can not eat unless she throws up her food. If the girl ate and did not throw up her food, she would feel shame and guilt. The next highest degree after introjection is identified extrinsic behavior. This behavior includes choice and volition that is important for personal and professional development. An example of this behavior is when one eats healthy because they know it is what’s best for them. This behavior is part of one’s values and

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The importance of self-regard is similar to that of confidence–how well we understand our strengths and our weaknesses. Self-actualization means assessing our current accomplishments, as well as judging the reality of future accomplishments. Finally, there is the importance of independence, which can be seen as understanding when someone’s needs are being met and when they’re…

    • 574 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This idea that fulfillment is attainable through…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Carl Lee Research Paper

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Everyone is wondering if they can really achieve self-actualization. Personally, for me, self-actualization is when a person reaches a state of being and self-awareness mentally and physically. It's when a person achieved their highest achievements without caring other people’s approval and doesn't last very long. Humans only striving for something bigger and better and there no stop. Once a goal is accomplished, they move into the next goal.…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Personal Identity Concept

    • 1237 Words
    • 5 Pages

    When attempting to address and describe what the self actually is, what it is comprised of, and what it is in control of, the task, seemingly simple at first, becomes…

    • 1237 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Rogers Vs Maslow

    • 143 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Maslow theorizes that basic needs have to be met before the next level of needs can be possibly obtained. Being self-actualized is postulated as a person's full potential being realized, such as one becoming an artist because of one's artistic ability, etc. Do those that meet this criteria (reach their full potential) realize that they have become self-actualized or do those that say they are self-actualized not really so? Carl Rogers talks about the realization of recognizing self-perceptions, that when they are realized and controlled then one can exert control over their external world. Objects don't have to have control over self, it's the direction of self by the individual themselves that may direct outcomes so to speak.…

    • 143 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    People become extremely self­absorbed when being satisfied with their state of being. Individuals will become unconsidered to everyone and everything around them, unwilling to make any changes that may affect their lifestyle. On the other hand, negative emotions motivate an individual to accomplish more and achieve greater things. Sharon Begley discusses in her article the topic of self­growth. Begley reports, “People who are somewhat discontent, but not so depressed as to be paralyzed, are more motivated to improve both their own lot and the lot of their community.…

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Extrinsic Motivation Theory is displayed in the issue of the scheduling system within the Macys Inc. because it affects how employees view themselves in relation to the business. Extrinsic motivation happens when people are motivated to avoid a negative outcome. Intrinsic motivation occurs when people participate in a particular way because it is naturally rewarding. This idea of extrinsic motivation occurs when people are forced to work a shift that they are not available to work to prevent termination or conflict with authority. Employees are also forced to give shifts away to other associates, causing them to lose guaranteed hours, in order to prevent having attendance points deducted from their record.…

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Self-actualization it is when a person know themselves well and is able be oneself as an individual, able to develop one’s talents and able to understand oneself as different. According to Maslow (1954), self-actualizing are people with very healthy characters, shows growth as an individual toward realization of the highest needs and finding journey in life. Carl Rogers (2014,) also created a theory relating a growth potential whose goal was to include similarly between real and the ideal self whereby growth makes a person a fully functioning person. Though, Erikson focuses on stages where an individual faces challenges (pg.107).…

    • 1503 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    (Teixeira, Carraça, Markland, Silva & Ryan, 2012) Extrinsic motivation is a controlled motivation that contains four different regulatory types. (Ntoumanis, Edmunds & Duda, 2009) The type of extrinsic motivation that encompasses the greatest amount of self-determination is integrated control. It involves values and beliefs that individuals have, for example exercise just being considered a part of one’s everyday lifestyle.…

    • 1383 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are those that argue that Taylor Swift has successfully reached self-actualization. This argument was made strong by her already completing her fundamental needs, currently achieving her psychological needs and taking the right steps on finalizing her self-actualization needs. Taylor Swift was born on December 13, 1989 in Reading Pennsylvania. Her full name is Taylor Alison Swift and is surrounded by her immediate family, consisting of her loving father and mother, Scott and Andrea, and one younger brother named Austin. She has been writing, playing, and singing music since the age four, she can now play several different instruments and has also featured and stared in television movies and shows.…

    • 1206 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    person, whether to avoid negative sanctions or to be rewarded (positive consequences). For instance, a student who does an assignment either to receive teacher’s praise or to keep away from parental confrontation is externally regulated (Deci, et al., 1991; Deci & Ryan, 2002). Introjected regulation portrays the first phase of the internalization process. This form of extrinsic motivation demonstrates that the regulation is not yet integrated, it is just taking in a regulation without making it equal to oneself in order to avoid feeling guilty. It submits that individuals commence to internalize merely the rationale for their actions.…

    • 323 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    According to person centered therapy people are basically good and they are characteristically “positive, forward moving, constructive, realistic, and trustworthy.” Moreover, each of us is aware, inner directed, and moving toward self-actualization from the date we are born. From infancy what the person perceives becomes their reality. All infants are born with self actualizing tendency and their subsequent goal directed behavior is geared to satisfy their self-actualization. Their interaction with their environment is an organized whole, and everything they do is interrelated.…

    • 1202 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A particular attribute of SDT is that they tend to use the term “full functioning” instead of “self-actualizing” (Deci, Ryan, & Guay, 2013). It goes on to describe three types of autonomous behaviors or behaviors endorsed by one’s self, which are important for full functioning. They are intrinsically motivated behaviors, extrinsically motivated behaviors, and emotion motivated behaviors (Deci, Ryan, & Guay, 2013). It also describes the necessities for the development of a healthy self which are competence, autonomy, and relatedness; a lot shorter than Maslow’s 15 tentative qualities that characterize self-actualizing people. What I found most interesting was discussed in the middle of the article about how when people psychological needs are inhibited, they display negative consequences such as ill being, diminished engagement, and poorer performance.…

    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Student Motivation Paper

    • 1749 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Chapter 6 of Essentials of Educational Psychology discusses that there are internal and external factors that affect student motivation. Intrinsic (internal) factors include personal beliefs and emotions. Intrinsic motivation entails behaviors that are personally rewarding, for example a student would complete an activity because he finds the activity fun. A student participates in a game because she finds it exciting. Extrinsic (external) motivation are influences outside of the student, examples would be teachers and instructional strategies (Ormrod, 2015).…

    • 1749 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Life Above All Essay

    • 1092 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In order for me to make a clear argument about Self-realization and Self-sufficiency in Life, Above All, I will use Mamdani’s analysis (1994). He makes the four main arguments One, there can be no renaissance without an intelligentsia to drive it. Two, an African Renaissance requires an African-focused intelligentsia to drive it. Third, let us reflect on the sober morning-after realization that South Africa lacks an African-focused intelligentsia in critical numbers. Finally, there is a need to underline the key lesson of the past colonial academy in equatorial Africa… (Mamdani, 1994:134).…

    • 1092 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays