Ryan & Deci: Self Determination Theory (SDT) - Content Models of Motivation

Ryan & Deci are the founders of Self Determination Theory (SDT). It's possibly the most substantial modern body of research on motivation. As such, it is essential for modern managers to understand the basics.
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This video is part of course module number 3.7.3
Program 3: Managing and Leading Individuals
Course 7: Motivation
Section 3: Content Models of Motivation
Primary Content (or needs) Models of Motivation videos include:
- Abraham Maslow & The Hierarchy of Needs • Abraham Maslow and the...
- Clayton Alderfer & ERG Theory • Clayton Alderfer and E...
- Frederick Herzberg & Two Factor Theory • Frederick Herzberg and...
- David McClelland & Three Motivational Needs Theory • David McClelland and T...
- Daniel Pink & Motivation 3.0 • Daniel Pink and Motiva...
LESSON NOTES
Richard Ryan and Edward Deci created Self Determination Theory (SDT). Their research focuses on:
- Dominant role of Intrinsic Motivation in behavior. Intrinsic Motivation is our natural drive to satisfy internal needs.
- Conditions under which Extrinsic Motivation will & won't work. Extrinsic Motivation comes from outside us.
Social context provides extrinsic motivators & inhibitors.
An individual has an inherent tendency toward action & growth. But we need to be nurtured by our external environment to fulfill that potential.
We have three fundamental, innate needs. Ryan & Deci call them Psychological Nutrients. Fulfilling all three is essential for wellbeing and effective functioning. If any is unmet, our motivation falls. They are:
1. Autonomy (Primary)
Ability to make our own choices. Extrinsic rewards that aim to boost intrinsically motivated behavior will undermine autonomy and so frustrate motivation
2. Competence
Control over outcomes, experience, mastery, self-confidence. Unexpected feedback has a direct impact on intrinsic motivation.
3. Relatedness
Interaction, caring, security of relationships
Compare this with our videos on the work of:
Clayton Alderfer: • Clayton Alderfer and E...
David McClelland: • David McClelland and T...
Our Intrinsic motivation for autonomy and competence needs a sense of security. That arises from relatedness. Without a nurturing environment, we can't feel safe in asserting autonomy - though we may do so as a form of control-taking to combat uncertainty or even fear.
We find extrinsic motivators effective only when they don't rob us of our sense of autonomy. We are only comfortable with external regulation when we are secure in our social relationships. Otherwise, we feel it as controlling
Also review our next video: Daniel Pink & Motivation 3.0 • Daniel Pink and Motiva...
RECOMMENDED EXERCISE
1. Think about your own experiences. When have well-intentioned attempts to offer extrinsic motivation had little or no effect - or maybe an adverse effect - on your motivation? (2 MC CPD Points)
2. Think about how you motivate your team. To what extent are you providing rich opportunities for autonomy, competence, and relatedness? What else can you do to use the principles of Self Determination Theory to improve motivation of your team? (4 MC CPD Points)
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RECOMMENDED READING
Why do We do what We do: Understanding Self Motivation (Edward Deci) geni.us/KrBjgvY
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us geni.us/uq3EBO
Get the Kindle eBook that accompanies the course, for just $2.99 (or local equivalent): geni.us/dAPQ
For a solid introduction to motivation:
HBR Guide to Motivating People geni.us/sO2IKgn
The best of modern thinking on motivation, in accessible business books. These are all modern classics:
- Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action geni.us/vjErAN
- Lead, Motivate, Engage: How to INSPIRE Your Team to Win at Work geni.us/ABkZEx
- Multipliers, Revised and Updated: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smart geni.us/E39I
- Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations geni.us/uMaP
- The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work geni.us/tiEkeH
Management Courses Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Points
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Each video has two levels of MC CPD points. For this video:
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- If you also carried out all of the recommended exercises: a total of 9 MC CPD points
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[@ManagementCourses]

As a couple of you have pointed out, there is a small on-screen error at around 1:14. The text under Intrinsic Motivation should say 'from inside you'. I say it right, but put the wrong text on the screen.

[@Finnish4ever21]

I love the conclusion, “It is important to give to [students] the autonomy to make their own choices, the ability to develop and exercise their competence, and build good relationships and feel secure in their social environment.” I needed a crash course on SDT for my master's thesis in education and I found it here!

[@ManagementCourses]

Glad to have helped you out!

[@TerriTie]

Comparing SDT with other theories was helpful for me👍🏼

[@ManagementCourses]

That's great to hear!

[@dejesuscheraerielle8229]

Thank you so much! This helped me a lot!

[@ManagementCourses]

Glad it helped you!

[@aminabadawy475]

I am so happy I found this amazing channel,Best teacher ever😊,God bless you

[@ManagementCourses]

Wow, thank you!

[@carlpiaf4476]

Brilliant as always!

[@ManagementCourses]

Thank you, Carl.

[@j-fit677]

Thank you!

[@ManagementCourses]

You're welcome!

[@santiagofloressuarez9294]

really good, i liked it

[@ManagementCourses]

Thank you.

[@kelebogilemotshoane5186]

Thank you for explaining the SDT. Busy with an assignment I am now confident to submit.

[@ManagementCourses]

Best of luck!

[@kelebogilemotshoane5186]

@@ManagementCourses thank you!

[@ManagementCourses]

@@kelebogilemotshoane5186 You're welcome.

[@jayro_mf]

very helpfull! thank u!

[@ManagementCourses]

You're welcome, Jayro.

[@bng2021]

Really helpful thanks

[@ManagementCourses]

You're very welcome, Bruce.

[@drrnyadav]

Well described

[@ManagementCourses]

Thank you, Dr Yadav.

[@mex9711]

EXCELENTE EXPLICACION PARA UN NOVATO DE ESTOS TEMAS , ME SUSCRIBI Y PULGAR ARRIBA, GRACIAS DESDE MEXICO

[@ManagementCourses]

Gracias! De nada.

[@faivyoukay]

Enjoyed your video! Posted my own perspective on this topic on my channel too!

[@ManagementCourses]

Awesome! Looks good. Thank you!

[@alll261]

Nice.

[@ManagementCourses]

Thanks!

[@phoneaccount45]

Hi Dr. Clayton. Would you have the slides that you use for this video available in a downloadable format? They accurately describe the theory and I would like to cite you in my assignment. Also, you mentioned that Intrinsic motivation comes from outside you (1:13) and I think it is just an oversight. Please let me know. And, please write a book, as I have read the likes of King and Lawley and in my personal opinion, it is an ill-structured and haphazard book. I haven't come across a simpler explainer on the management theories as your videos. Please DO write a book.

[@ManagementCourses]

I have a Motivation Graphics pack on sale for minimum $2 donation: managementcourses.gumroad.com/l/usVxk It includes SDT. I have acknowledged the small error you noticed in the pinned post - you aren't the first to spot it!

[@Zaory6734]

6:11

[@iche9373]

Intrinsic Motivation comes "outside" you. 1:10

[@ManagementCourses]

Oops! To clarify: Intrinsic = within yourself Extrinsic = from outside

[@valentijnverheije7140]

To me, SDT can also be related to Daniel Pink's model of Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose. In fact, these elements seem so closely related to STD that I wonder now whether Pink's model was built from scratch, or rather based on Deci & Ryan SDT.

[@ManagementCourses]

I'm going to go with: Daniel Pink got much of his thinking from the work of Ryan & Deci. That's what I say in my video on Pink's work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3KYp6uOrNtsaLM My copy of Deci's book, Why do we do what we do? is copyright 1995 My copy of Pink's book, Drive, is copyright 2009

[@tamerahmed7182]

I agree with these theories however from my own observations. There are very few people who exist in environments that follow these 3 concepts. These would be highly educated professionals or upper-tier management. Most people exist at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy pyramid.

[@ManagementCourses]

I suspect a lot depends on the culture in which you live and the amount of relative wealth or poverty. However, the ideas of SDT work well with anyone who has a measure of control over their lives and has reasonable levels of (perceived)safety and security. For anyone reading this and wondering about Maslow's hierarchy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nauYq4GuaLChqKc

[@serash4305]

How is SDT related to Fear of Missing Out? (FoMO)

[@ManagementCourses]

I am not aware of any specific connection. But, of course, all needs theories have a shadow side: - The need for relatedness is shadowed by the fear of losing access to relationships - The need for autonomy is shadowed by the fear of losing control of your choices - The need for mastery is shadowed by the fear of feeling inadequate to the task

[@serash4305]

@@ManagementCourses thank you for this information, Doc Mike! :)

[@andrejagrca5322]

What would you say are some of the behaviors people display in a safe environment? I am trying to get at what "safe environment" actually means in practice and how to build it.

[@ManagementCourses]

A Safe Environment is a different concept to that of motivation. I fully intend to make a video about Psychological Safety at some point. But that's the thing to look up. When people experience psychological safety, they relax, become more adaptive and more creative, and relate well to other people. In psychologically threatening environments, people can withdraw, become combative, think in straight lines, and are impatient for results. It's all a matter of activation of either your rational brain (when safe) or emotional fight/flight brain (when threatened).

[@yatheichan5755]

There is a mistake in the text 1:16 "from outside you" should be "from inside you"?

[@ManagementCourses]

Ooops - yes! You are quite right thank you. I say it right, but put the wrong text on the screen.

[@TS-pi3um]

what is the difference between SDT and job enrichment theory

[@ManagementCourses]

Job enrichment draws on SDT and other ideas in Motivation. It offers jobs that are more intrinsically satisfying. We do this by creating tasks that are interesting and challenging. So job enrichment draws mostly on the concept of mastery. But relationships also make work interesting. I would describe them as complementary approaches that draw on a common set of ideas and insights into the psychology of motivation.

[@TS-pi3um]

@@ManagementCourses thank you sir/madam

[@ianpascual1745]

error in edit in intrinsic

[@ManagementCourses]

Terribly sorry. But well spotted, Ian.

[@longhuynh1834]

What is a contradicting theory to SDT?

[@ManagementCourses]

There are lots of other theories and models of motivation - taking similar or different approaches. I cover a lot of them in this course/playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL6vWkk9L7LeE7ly5r-rFBoi0gt1o3yKhH The two basic theory types focus on either content (what motivates you) and process (how does motivation work). SDT is one of many content models of motivation. But I don't think there is a theory that out and out contradicts this theory. There are just other models.

[@tuankiet9666]

Cũng đang làm câu cuối bài Theoretical reflection HRM của Rmit hả =)))))

[@longhuynh1834]

@@tuankiet9666 đang bí :(((

[@m.aashikislam6630]

ততত

[@ManagementCourses]

Google translates this as Bengali for 'as much' - so, I'm not sure I understand. But: ধন্যবাদ (Thank you)