Advances in Motivation Science

Chapter Four

Brick by Brick: The Origins, Development, and Future of Self-Determination Theory

Richard M. Ryan*^,1; Edward L. Deci^†    * Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE), Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, NSW, Australia^† University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States¹ Corresponding author: email address: [e-mail]

Abstract

Self-determination theory is a broad and widely applied theory of motivation, personality development, and wellness. The theory began with a narrow focus on intrinsic motivation but has expanded over time to encompass both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and spawned new perspectives on well-being, life-goals, relationship quality, vitality and depletion, and eudaimonia, ...