Editing Content theory (section)

== Self-determination theory ==
{{Main|Self-determination theory}}
Since the early 1970s Deci<ref>{{cite journal|last=Deci|first=Edward L.|year=1971|title=Effects of externally mediated rewards on intrinsic motivation|url=http://www.selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/1971_Deci.pdf|journal=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology|volume=18|issue=1|pages=105–115|doi=10.1037/H0030644}}</ref> and Ryan have developed and tested their self-determination theory (SDT). SDT identifies three innate needs that, if satisfied, allow optimal function and growth: competence,<ref name="Harter, S. 1978">{{cite journal|last1=Harter|first1=S|year=1978|title=Effectance motivation reconsidered: Toward a developmental model|journal=Human Development|volume=1|pages=661–669}}</ref><ref name="White, R. W. 1963">White, R. W. (1963). ''Ego and reality in psychoanalytic theory''. New York: International Universities Press.</ref> relatedness,<ref name="Baumeister, R. 1995">{{cite journal|last1=Baumeister|first1=R.|last2=Leary|first2=M. R.|year=1995|title=The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation|journal=Psychological Bulletin|volume=117|issue=3|pages=497–529|doi=10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497|pmid=7777651|s2cid=13559932 }}</ref> and autonomy.<ref name="deCharms, R. 1968">deCharms, R. (1968). Personal causation. New York: Academic Press.</ref><ref name="Deci, E. L. 1975">{{cite book|title=Intrinsic motivation|url=https://archive.org/details/intrinsicmotivat00deci|url-access=registration|last=Deci|first=Edward L.|publisher=Plenum|year=1975|isbn=978-1-4613-4448-3|location=New York}}</ref> These three psychological needs are suggested to be essential for psychological health & well-being along with behavioral motivation.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Deci|first1=Edward L.|last2=Ryan|first2=Richard M.|date=October 2000|title=The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior|url=http://sdtheory.s3.amazonaws.com/SDT/documents/2000_DeciRyan_PIWhatWhy.pdf|journal=Psychological Inquiry|volume=11|issue=4|pages=227–268|doi=10.1207/s15327965pli1104_01|s2cid=15542489}}</ref> There are three essential elements to the theory:<ref name="Deci, E. L. 2004">{{cite journal|last1=Deci|first1=Edward L.|last2=Vansteenkiste|first2=Maarten|year=2004|title=Self-determination theory and basic need satisfaction: Understanding human development in positive psychology|journal=Ricerche di Psichologia|volume=27|pages=17–34}}</ref>

* Humans are inherently proactive with their potential and at mastering their inner forces (such as drive and emotions).
* Humans have an inherent tendency towards growth, development, and integrated functioning.
* Optimal development and actions are inherent in humans but they do not happen automatically.

Within Self-Determination Theory, Deci and Ryan<ref>{{Cite journal|author1=E.L. Deci|author2=R. M. Ryan|date=2008|title=Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health|journal=Canadian Psychology|volume=49|issue=3|pages=182–185|doi=10.1037/a0012801}}</ref> distinguish between four different types of extrinsic motivation, differing in their levels of perceived autonomy:

*'''External regulation''': This is the least autonomous of the four and is determined by external punishment or reward.
*'''Introjected regulation''': This form of external motivation arises when the individuals have somewhat internalized regulations but do not fully accept them as their own. They may comply for self-esteem reasons or social acceptability - essentially internal reasons but externally driven.
*'''Identified regulation''': This is more autonomously driven - when the individuals consciously perceive the actions as valuable.
*'''Integrated regulation''': This is the most autonomous form of motivation and the action has been internalized and is aligned with the individual's values, beliefs and is perceived as necessary for their wellbeing. However, this is still classified as extrinsic motivation as it is still driven by external processes and not by inherent enjoyment for the task itself.