Self-determination theory is a motivational theory that is premised on human feelings. The theory seeks to examine factors that motivate an individual from within. It is concerned with internal motivators. Under self-determination, a person would arrive at a decision or make a choice based on the internal motivators rather than extrinsic consequences. Self-determination theory was propounded by Ryan and Deci. According to the two professors, intrinsic determinants should be divorced from extrinsic determinants. The former would fall under the self-determination theory.
Self-determination theory influences human being in arriving at decisions and conclusions. First, a person would consider the overall effect an approach would occasion on internal needs. A person would be motivated to work if the overall effect would positively contribute to internal needs. On the other hand, a person would be less active towards work if results have little to no bearing on the internal needs. An exposition of the theory can be used to explain why persons engage or disengage in crime. A criminal activity that tends to excite the criminal by satisfying the internal needs would attract him (criminal) while the activities that do not satisfy internal needs would fail to attract him or her. In the same vein self-determination theory has a bearing on the intimacy the criminal would show towards crime. A criminal whose internal needs are most satisfied would be more motivated and hence participate deeply in criminal activities.
Self-determination theory can, therefore, be compared to the rational choice theory of crime. In the latter, the criminal engages in crime for purposes of satisfying a need that is pressing. He or she makes a rational decision to undertake criminal activities so as to achieve some eventual objective. This can be compared to the self-determination theory where individual engages in the activity with the hope that it shall be able to meet ones` internal needs. However, while the rational choice theory is wide, self-determination is limited and relates specifically to the motivation one gets from an activity.
However, according to Deci and Ryan, self-determination theory is intended to encourage persons to behave in effective and healthy ways. The person is expected to pursue activities that bring positive motivation. This approach assumes that the person would only employ his or her energies in the pursuit of positivity. This would lead to a positive result in the sense that the behavior is healthy. This approach cannot pass without criticism. Indeed, the instance above where rational choice is paralleled to self-determination in itself is sufficient confirmation of the shortsighted nature of this view. In addition, since self-determination is based on the internal needs, no bar exist as to what needs are being addressed. Ultimately, the main determinant is the person.
In other words, self-determination theory explains the internal working of an individual. It sheds light as to the contribution of internal needs towards overall decision making. It is the best case for the pursuit of internal motivation by persons. In the absence of self-determination, persons would be influenced with only external motivations. They would merely consider what external consequences their actions would have. In that breadth, therefore, it can be argued that self-determination puts a strong case for a selfish approach to life as the person is informed by his or her internal needs as opposed to external consequences.
References
Herring, J. (2011). Criminal Law. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Higgins, T. E. (2007). Social Psychology: Handbook of Basic Principles. New York: Guilford Press.
Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. (2011). Social Psychology. New York: Cengage Learning.
Nevid, J. S. (2008). Psychology: Concepts and Applications. New York: Cengage Learning.
Weigend, T. (2006). Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure. Elgar Encyclopedia of Comparative Law, 2(1), 214-227.
