THEORY REVIEW TEMPLATE

THEORY REVIEW #1

Write the central research question for your research

How can the problem of low graduation rates among black non-Hispanic students at Glendale Community College be addressed?

List the first reference in current APA

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-Determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. 10.1037//0003-066x.55.1.68

Identify the primary theorists. List them

Richard M. Ryan

Edward L. Deci

In 5 10 sentences, summarize the theory using citations (write this as if this were to be used in the actual theoretical framework section of your applied research report)

Ryan and Decis self-determination theory highlights the conditions that foster personality integration and self-motivation in human beings (Ryan & Deci, 2000). The theorys main idea is that motivation drives performance, persistence and intention, and that people are motivated either intrinsically because they value or have an interest in the activity itself or extrinsically because they face external pressure or coercion (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Empirical comparisons have shown that intrinsic or self-authored motivation ultimately results in more persistence, interest and enhanced performance than extrinsic motivation. The theory identifies three conditions that drive and sustain intrinsic motivation, and without which such motivation diminishes or is subdued: feelings of competence, autonomy, and relatedness (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Conditions that build feelings of competence such as rewards, acknowledgements, positive feedback, communications, and encouraging comments had the effect of enhancing intrinsic motivation. At the same time, negative feedback, demeaning comments, and lack of communications and rewards acknowledging ones competence diminished intrinsic motivation (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

However, feelings of competence alone cannot enhance intrinsic motivation; they have to be accompanied by a sense of autonomy (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Elements that enhance the feeling of autonomy include opportunities for one to determine their self-direction, acknowledgement of feelings, and choice, while imposed goals, pressured evaluations, directives, deadlines, and threats subdue it, thus reducing intrinsic motivation (Ryan & Deci, 2000). The final contributor to intrinsic motivation is relatedness, which is the level of relational support from relatives, friends, and teachers in the case of school children (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Thus, according to the self-determination theory, people are more likely to be intrinsically-motivated if the environment conduces competence, autonomy, and relational supports, producing higher intrinsic motivation that in turn, translates into enhanced persistence, and performance (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

Identify the constructs that keep reappearing. List them and define them

The important constructs of the self-determination theory that keep recurring are:

Intrinsic motivation - a state of exploring and engaging in activities for the excitement, challenge and fun of doing so, rather than as a result of external impetus. When one is intrinsically-motivated, they have an internal locus of causality, with interest and curiosity emanating from within oneself as opposed to externally.

Autonomy the freedom to undertake activities by ones own volition. For a student, autonomy occurs when they willingly devote energy and time to their study.

Competence being able to accomplish goals, such as when students are able to meet their schoolwork challenges (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

Relatedness the experience of having supportive teachers, relatives, and peers. A student will only feel intrinsically-motivated if they feel both autonomous and competent. A student who feels competent but lacks autonomy is unlikely to be intrinsically motivated. For instance, Ryan & Grolnick (as cited in Ryan & Deci, 2000) found that college students who undertook a class with the intention of teaching their peers were more intrinsically motivated than those taking the class with the expectation of being tested. The authors conclude that this is because the former is a demonstration of autonomy, while the latter limits a students ability to function harmoniously.

Identify where or how this theory originated

The origin of the self-determination theory dates back to 1977, when Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, both clinical graduate students at the University of Rochester, had a life-changing conversation on what really drove an individuals...

Competence the feeling that one has efficacy and mastery needed to realize work-related goals and accomplish projects (Martels & Riekki, 2018)

Relatedness the feeling of belonging at the workplace or being connected to others (Martels & Riekki, 2018).

Beneficence the feeling of accomplishment resulting from being able to make a positive contribution to the society through ones work (Martels & Riekki, 2018)

Identify where or how this theory originated

The articles authors decision to test the accuracy of the self-determination theory in predicting work meaningfulness originates from changes in the influencers of employee satisfaction. According to the authors, work today is one of the primary elements upon which people derive lifes meaningfulness following declines in traditional sources like religion (Martels & Riekki, 2018). Traditionally, workers valued money over all other factors at work. However, these dynamics have changed. The study indicates that 28 percent of American workers today value purpose over status or money (Martels & Riekki, 2018). Further, 34 percent of Americans would be willing to take a salary cut if that gives them an opportunity to serve in an organization that respects their values (Martels & Riekki, 2018). lobally, between 37 and 53 percent of employees prefer value purpose over status or money (Martels & Riekki, 2018). These changing dynamics warrant the need for studies testing motivation theories such as the self-determination theory.

Quotes

The study found that in line with the self-determination theory, both the three psychological needs and beneficence explained independent variance in meaningful work that cannot be reduced to other independent variables (Martels & Riekki, 2018, p.5)

The four psychological needs fully mediated the relationship between occupational position and work meaningfulness in India and in the United States, indicating that workers were willing to take lower pay to work in an organization whose values align with theirs (Martels & Riekki, 2018, p.1).

Identify what roles this article might play in your research

The article is…