A Theoretical and Empirical Examination of links between Self Determination Theory and Reversal Theory: Psychological Need Satisfaction and Meta-motivational State Reversals

Thomas, Laura, Oliver, Emily and Thatcher, Joanne (2012) A Theoretical and Empirical Examination of links between Self Determination Theory and Reversal Theory: Psychological Need Satisfaction and Meta-motivational State Reversals. In: International Conference on Motivation 2012, 28th - 30th August 2012, Frankfurt, Germany.

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Official URL: http://www.icm2012.de/agenda/default_021.html

Abstract

The poster will present theoretical arguments and pilot data from two laboratory-based studies that examine links between Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000) and reversal theory (Apter, 1982). SDT discusses innate psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, satisfaction of which is essential for psychological health, well-being, and exploration of inherent growth tendencies. Reversal theory proposes four mutually exclusive pairs of meta-motivational states which are characterised by distinct ways of interpreting one’s own motivation (e.g., telic vs. paratelic: Apter, 2001); regular reversal between states is required to be considered ‘psychologically healthy’ however, the precise triggers of reversals are unclear. It is argued that need satisfaction and thwarting may act to induce a reversal. Further, we suggest that lability and frequency of individuals' reversals may contribute to well-being through enabling a balanced satisfaction of one's needs (cf. Sheldon & Gunz, 2009; Sheldon & Niemiec, 2006).

Using environmental manipulations of need satisfaction (e.g., Deci, Eghrari, Patrick, & Leone, 1994) and implicit association tests to identify meta-motivational states, the pilot data will establish whether need thwarting causes frustration induced reversals (e.g., from conformist state to negativistic state), and whether need satisfaction causes satiation induced reversals (e.g., from telic state to paratelic state). From an applied perspective the ability to induce reversals and achieve a balance of need satisfaction may prevent maladaptive behaviours associated with both need thwarting and inhibited reversals.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Subjects: C800 Psychology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Depositing User: Paul Burns
Date Deposited: 14 Dec 2015 15:05
Last Modified: 12 Oct 2019 15:30
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/25014

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