Self-determination theory
Self-determination theory (SDT) is a fancy way to describe how people like to feel in control of their own lives. Think of when you get to decide what game to play or what clothes to wear. That feels good, right? That’s because you have the power to choose what makes you happy.
SDT says that there are three things that help people feel good about themselves and the choices they make: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Autonomy means you get to make your own choices. Even if you pick something that’s not popular, it’s still your choice and you feel good about it!
Competence means you’re good at the things you want to do. You don’t have to be perfect, but you should feel like you can do something well enough to feel confident.
Relatedness is feeling connected to other people. This could be your family or your friends, but somewhere you belong and fit in. When you have this, you feel like you can be yourself and that other people care about you.
When we have all three of these things, we’re more likely to be happy and have good self-esteem. SDT is just a fancy way to say that we all want to have some control over our lives and feel like what we do matters.
SDT says that there are three things that help people feel good about themselves and the choices they make: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Autonomy means you get to make your own choices. Even if you pick something that’s not popular, it’s still your choice and you feel good about it!
Competence means you’re good at the things you want to do. You don’t have to be perfect, but you should feel like you can do something well enough to feel confident.
Relatedness is feeling connected to other people. This could be your family or your friends, but somewhere you belong and fit in. When you have this, you feel like you can be yourself and that other people care about you.
When we have all three of these things, we’re more likely to be happy and have good self-esteem. SDT is just a fancy way to say that we all want to have some control over our lives and feel like what we do matters.
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