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Putting the pieces together: reviewing the structural conceptualization of motivation within SDT

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Abstract

Self-determination theory presents a multi-dimensional approach to human motivation in which motivation is driven by a range of classifiably distinct regulation styles. However, these different regulations are also considered to fall along a continuum of self-determination which implies that a global dimension reflecting the degree of self-determination present is important. The lack of explicit integration between these two aspects in the conceptualization of motivation has recently led to debates and a flux of research on the structure of motivation as defined in self-determination theory. This review comprehensively explores recent advances in this area as well as more classical approaches in order to establish an optimal and empirically supported conceptualization of motivation. A novel solution is proposed, namely a semi-radex structure of motivation, in which types of motivation are predictably ordered by degree of self-determination while also maintaining their unique contribution as distinct factors. Theoretical and practical implications for researchers who use self-determination theory are made.

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Notes

  1. Advocates of the simplex approach (Sheldon et al. 2017) have argued that such one factor approaches are incompatible with a simplex representation based on statistical evidence showing that a simplex correlation matrix could best be reflected by two alternative two-factor models. We address this criticism as part of a webnote (https://osf.io/6kr25/?view_only=019bb08dc8624d34affb5400ba85efe6) showing in fact that this same statistical evidence can be used to support the bifactor approach described later in this manuscript.

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Funding

This study was funded by the Monash Business School, Monash University (Grant Number 1759764), awarded to the first author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Monash Business School, Department of Management, Monash University, 900 Dandenong Rd, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia

    Joshua L. Howard

  2. Curtin Business School, Curtin University and University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Marylene Gagné

  3. Substantive-Methodological Synergy Research Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke W, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada

    Alexandre J. S. Morin

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  1. Joshua L. Howard
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Correspondence to Joshua L. Howard.

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Howard, J.L., Gagné, M. & Morin, A.J.S. Putting the pieces together: reviewing the structural conceptualization of motivation within SDT. Motiv Emot 44, 846–861 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-020-09838-2

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