Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/self-determination-theory

Introduction

**Course Review: Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An Approach to Motivation, Development, and Wellness** In today's ever-complex world, understanding the underlying factors that drive human motivation and wellness is more critical than ever. Coursera’s “Introduction to Self-Determination Theory (SDT): An Approach to Motivation, Development, and Wellness” is a compelling, in-depth course that dives into SDT, offering practical insights into how to cultivate motivation and psychological wellbeing in various spheres of life. ### Course Overview Self-Determination Theory, rooted in empirical research, explores the basic psychological needs that foster high-quality motivation and overall wellness. This course walks you through the theory's core concepts, mini-theories, and applications, shedding light on how motivators — be they parents, educators, coaches, or healthcare professionals — can either support or hinder engagement and motivation. ### Syllabus Breakdown **Week 1: Foundations of SDT** The course kicks off with a robust introduction to Self-Determination Theory. Participants will explore historical principles, key definitions, and the foundational mini-theory of Cognitive Evaluation Theory (CET). Engaging discussions around intrinsic motivation, particularly within the realm of gaming, spark curiosity and encourage real-world connections. **Week 2: Organismic Integration Theory and Basic Psychological Needs** In this module, participants will delve into Organismic Integration Theory (OIT) and Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT). Understanding how motivation varies along a spectrum of autonomy sets the stage for exploring the crucial role of internalization in self-regulation. This week's focus on well-being and the fundamental psychological needs reinforces why these elements are essential for cultivating happiness and fulfillment across diverse cultures. **Week 3: Happiness and Goal Contents Theory** Week three examines the intricacies of well-being and life goals. The exploration of Goal Contents Theory (GTC) highlights the relationship between intrinsic/extrinsic goals and personal fulfillment. This week's key discussions on mindfulness and the interplay of nature with vitality invoke a profound understanding of the self. **Week 4: The Role of Relationships and Community** The fourth week emphasizes the vital role of basic psychological need fulfillment across various life domains. The relationship between parents and children, meaningful connections, and the impact of teacher-student dynamics highlight how foundational support from significant figures can foster optimal growth. The focus on community contribution as a pathway to well-being introduces practical strategies that learners can apply in their own lives. **Week 5: Practical Applications of SDT** The final week is a culmination of insights, exploring SDT’s practical applications across multiple domains, including healthcare, mental health, sports, culture, and organizational environments. This segment is particularly enlightening, as it provides concrete examples of how understanding and applying SDT can lead to healthier, more engaged communities and workplaces. The course concludes with actionable takeaways, making it highly relevant for personal and professional development. ### Recommendations This course is highly recommended for anyone interested in psychology, education, coaching, healthcare, or organizational behavior. Here’s why: 1. **Comprehensive Understanding**: The structured approach demystifies complex concepts while providing ample real-life examples. 2. **Actionable Insights**: The course emphasizes practical applications, enabling students to utilize the knowledge in their everyday interactions and professional practices. 3. **Expert Instructors**: You have the privilege of learning from leading experts in the field whose research backs the content, offering credibility and depth. 4. **Supportive Community**: Engaging with fellow learners fosters a collaborative atmosphere, enhancing the learning experience. ### Final Thoughts The "Introduction to Self-Determination Theory" is not just an academic endeavor; it is a journey toward understanding oneself and others. Whether you’re looking to improve your leadership style, foster better relationships, or enrich your practice in any domain involving human interaction, this course equips you with the foundational principles of motivation that are crucial for success and well-being. Don't miss the chance to explore this transformative approach to motivation, development, and wellness on Coursera!

Syllabus

Week 1

The first module of this course begins with an introduction and overview of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). This includes a discussion of the basic and historical principles of SDT as well as definitions of key terms. Module 1 continues with an introduction to one of SDT’s mini-theories, Cognitive Evaluation Theory (CET) and the core concept of intrinsic motivation. The impact of rewards on intrinsic motivation and the role of intrinsic motivation in video gaming are also discussed.

Week 2 focuses on two additional mini-theories within SDT: Organismic Integration Theory (OIT) and Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT). The first four lectures in this module discuss OIT —describing the different types of motivation, organizing them along the continuum of relative autonomy, discussing what is meant by internalization, and describing the factors that facilitate and undermine autonomous motivation and internalization. Additionally, lectures in this module cover well-being and basic psychological needs theory (BPNT)—delving into what these basic needs are and providing evidence for their importance to well-being across cultures and in explaining day-to-day variations in happiness.

Week 3 delves deeper into people’s well-being and life goals…examining what makes us happier from one day to the next. The second lecture in this module introduces Goal Contents Theory (GTC), or the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic life goals on well-being. These lectures focus on how the pursuit of goals like money, fame, and image is associated with poor well-being even when these goals are achieved. Lectures in this module also center on mindfulness and the role of awareness in cultivating autonomy and on vitality -- or the energy available to the self, a central component of well-being and the role of nature in supporting vitality.

Module 4 focuses on the importance of basic psychological need fulfillment in several areas of life. The first lecture covers research demonstrating that doing good for others and contributing to one’s community are associated with greater well-being. The next lecture centers on one of the most important ingredients to well-being -- meaningful relationships and the fundamental importance of psychological need support to building quality relationships. Next, discussion turns to some of the most formative relations in one’s life -- the relation between parents and children. This lecture covers research demonstrating that need support from parents is associated with optimal growth and development in children. The next lecture focuses on the process of identity formation, or how one comes to understand and develop one’s identities, roles, and interests. Also, in this module, a lecture dedicated to the application of SDT to education. Specifically, this lecture covers the importance of motivation to learning and how teacher styles impact students’ motivation and learning outcomes. Finally, the last lecture examines work and organizations and discusses how need support from managers and the work environment impacts outcomes like retention, job satisfaction, corporate citizenship, and work engagement.

Module 5 focuses on the application of SDT in several different domains. The first lecture covers SDT’s application in the healthcare domain, including motivational predictors of weight loss, medication adherence, smoking cessation, and dental hygiene. The next lecture focuses on mental health and the importance of basic need support in psychotherapy, including examples of how therapists can support their clients’ needs. Next, we turn to the application of SDT to sports again including examples of research supporting the importance of autonomy support and how parents and coaches can facilitate athletes’ intrinsic motivation for sport. The next lecture discusses the ways in which culture influences people’s motivation and wellness and how culture acts as a pervasive influence on our need fulfillment. We continue to examine pervasive social influences in the following lecture by looking at the impacts of political and economic structures on motivation and need satisfactions…asking questions like how wealth disparities impact wellness. This will take us to our concluding lecture with final remarks on the importance of basic psychological need support in predicting quality motivation and positive outcomes. Last but not least, the final lecture provides practical takeaways to satisfy your own psychological needs.