Basic Psychological Needs Theory

The Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Well-Being

Basic Psychological Needs

Needs versus desires

Essential to growth and wellness

Universal rather than cultural

Basic Psychological Needs and Well-Being WellAutonomy

Well-Being
Competence

Relatedness

The Importance of Need Satisfaction

In various domains: Work, athletics, education, parenting, prosocial behavior, relationships, health care Across the lifespan: Early childhood, adolescence, old age Across cultures: Bulgaria, Russia, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, China Across gender Across social class Further, the balance of need satisfaction is conducive well-being
Sheldon & Niemiec (2006), Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

SDT and Health

Each year, ~300,000 Americans contribute to their own premature mortality Thus, motivation is an important consideration in the promotion of healthy behavior SDTs focus in the health-care domain is broad
Tobacco use Diabetes self-management Physical activity Dental care

The Smokers Health Study

Based on the principles of SDT Autonomy is the clinical goal Facilitate internalization of ASR and PC Effects on long-term tobacco abstinence

3030-month Tobacco Abstinence

Change in Autonomous SelfRegulation
.29***

Change in Perceived Competence

.08* .09** .24***

Treatment Condition
.61***

.14***

.15***

Medication Use

24-month Prolonged Abstinence

Williams, Niemiec, Patrick, Ryan, & Deci (2009), Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 37, 315-324.

Diabetes Self-Management Self.87 HbA1c .44 Glucose .11 .30 DP .14 CP .15 DS .11 CS

Glycemic Control

-.33*** .42*** Autonomy Support Autonomous SelfRegulation

.18

.29*** Perceived Competence

.13

.15*** Medication Adherence

.05

-.31***

.35*** Quality of Life Non-HDL Cholesterol

.13 .09

Williams, Patrick, Niemiec, et al. (2009). The Diabetes Educator, 35, 484-492

Life Goals, or Aspirations

Organize and direct behavior over extended periods of time (Kasser & Ryan, 1993, 1996) Two classes of aspirations: intrinsic and extrinsic Intrinsic = personal growth, close relationships, community contribution, physical health Extrinsic = money, fame, image The relation of aspirations to basic psychological needs

Aspirations and Psychological Health

Importance of intrinsic, relative to extrinsic, aspirations is related to:
Self-actualization, vitality, positive affect, satisfying relationships Depression, physical symptoms, narcissism
Kasser & Ryan, 1993, 1996, 2001

Intrinsic, relative to extrinsic, work value orientation:

Dedication, vitality, satisfaction Short-lived satisfaction, work-family conflict, emotional exhaustion, turn-over intention Associations are mediated by BPN satisfaction
Vansteenkiste, Neyrinck, Niemiec, et al. (2007), Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 80, 251-277

Aspiration Attainment
Niemiec, Ryan, & Deci (2009), Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 291-306. 43, 291Time 1 Time 2
.26

Time 2
.59

.51** Intrinsic Importance Intrinsic Attainment

.77** Well-Being .00

PG

CI

CR

PH

PG

CI

CR

PH

LS

SE

PA

.12

.29

.15

.54

.69

.50

.36

.51

.63

.58

.60

.44

.29

-.66** Extrinsic Importance .67** Extrinsic Attainment .38** Ill-Being

AN

PS

NA

.49

.54

.69

.21

.45

.49

.92

.30

.74

Conclusions
The importance of self-awareness
The ancient Greek aphorism, Know thyself
Inscribed above the entrance to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi

Life withoutexamination is not worth living

Socrates assertion made to those who sentenced him to death; Plato, The Last Days of Socrates

He who knows himself is enlightened

Lau Tzu, Tao Te Ching