Self-Determination Theory: What Are the Core Pillars of Your Life?

1. What Is Self-Determination Theory?

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation proposed by the psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, which holds that humans have three basic psychological needs: the need for autonomy, the need for competence, and the need for relatedness. The degree to which these needs are satisfied directly affects our well-being, motivation, and mental health.

This theory emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation, holding that when people act out of spontaneous interest, values, and self-identification, they show greater creativity, persistence, and well-being. Conversely, external control or pressure weakens motivation and causes psychological distress.

2. The Three Basic Psychological Needs

The need for autonomy (Autonomy): Refers to an individual's feeling that the choice of their behavior stems from their own will rather than external coercion or pressure. When the need for autonomy is satisfied, people feel that their behavior is meaningful and a genuine choice of their own.

The need for competence (Competence): Refers to an individual's feeling that they are capable of effectively meeting environmental challenges, mastering skills, and completing tasks. The sense of competence comes from facing appropriately difficult challenges and making progress.

The need for relatedness (Relatedness): Refers to an individual's desire to build intimate, supportive relationships with others and to feel accepted and cared for. The sense of relatedness is an important manifestation of human sociality and is crucial to mental health.

3. Theoretical Applications and Significance

Self-Determination Theory is widely applied in fields such as education, work, health, and interpersonal relationships. Research shows that when these three basic needs are satisfied, people more easily experience intrinsic motivation, higher life satisfaction, and better mental health.

In education, teaching methods that support students' autonomy can improve learning motivation; in the workplace, giving employees more autonomy and recognition can raise job satisfaction; in interpersonal relationships, building genuine connections helps strengthen the sense of belonging.

4. The Three Dimensions of This Test

This test is designed around the three core dimensions of Self-Determination Theory, with 18 questions in total:

• Autonomy: Assesses the degree to which you feel freedom of choice and self-determination in life. This includes whether you feel pressure when making decisions and whether you can act according to your own values.
• Competence: Assesses your confidence in your abilities and your sense of achievement. This includes how you feel when facing challenges, your sense of ability when completing tasks, and your satisfaction with skill development.
• Relatedness: Assesses the degree to which you connect with others and feel supported. This includes the quality of interpersonal relationships, the perception of social support, and the depth of connection with others.

5. Test Purpose and Target Audience

This test is suitable for people who want to understand their intrinsic motivation patterns and how well their basic psychological needs are met, and is especially suited to:

• People who feel their life lacks drive or direction
• People who want to improve their work or study efficiency
• People who want to improve the quality of their interpersonal relationships
• People interested in psychology and self-development
• People seeking to improve their mental health and well-being

6. Scoring Method

Each question is scored 1-5, from 'Completely disagree' to 'Completely agree.' The system will separately calculate your scores on the three dimensions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and, based on the relative weight of each dimension, give your core drive type and personalized suggestions.