Deci & Ryan (1985, 2000) Self-Determination Theory — intrinsic motivation supported by three needs: autonomy + competence + relatedness
Summary
Claim: Self-Determination Theory (SDT): intrinsic motivation is supported by satisfying three basic psychological needs: (1) autonomy (feeling the origin of one's own actions); (2) competence (feeling effective); (3) relatedness. Foundational sources: Deci & Ryan (1985), Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior; Ryan & Deci (2000), "Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation...", American Psychologist 55(1), 68-78.
Source: Deci & Ryan (1985) book; Ryan & Deci (2000), American Psychologist.
Confidence: Verified for theory.
Why this matters for Candid: Actively operating a tool — making choices, providing inputs, controlling the interaction — supports autonomy and competence, which is intrinsically engaging. Anchors R3 — Support agency + competence (2-4 meaningful choices + positive contextual feedback); avoid choice overload and frustration; let the user DO the work.
Related entries
Referenced by (6)
- research-notes Research notes (capture-layer top-up): why interactive online tools are psychologically engaging — six additional mechanisms (June 2026) relates-to
- reference Patall, Cooper & Robinson (2008), Psychological Bulletin (41 studies meta) — choice enhances intrinsic motivation, effort, performance, perceived competence; moderated (2-4 choices, no extrinsic reward, children > adults) depends-on
- reference Sundar & Marathe (2010), Human Communication Research — customization (user acts) vs personalization (system acts): the appeal of customization is tied to the user's sense of agency depends-on
- reference Vallerand & Reid (1984), Journal of Sport Psychology (N=115/84) — positive feedback INCREASES while negative feedback DECREASES intrinsic motivation; perceived competence MEDIATES depends-on
- reference SDT cultural-universality critique (Hagger et al. 2013) — autonomy's primacy may reflect Western individualism; collectivist participants sometimes show higher intrinsic motivation under authority direction; SDT defenders reply autonomy ≠ independence relates-to
- rule R3 — Support agency + competence (2-4 meaningful choices + positive contextual feedback); avoid choice overload and frustration; let the user DO the work depends-on