Self-Determination Theory identifies three basic psychological needs. Which set is correct?

Self-Determination Theory identifies three basic psychological needs. Which set is correct?

• A. Competence, Autonomy, Relatedness
• B. Autonomy, Competence, Dependence
• C. Relatedness, Competence, Autonomy
• D. Competence, Autonomy, Security

Answer: (A)

Self-Determination Theory identifies three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy is the sense that you are willingly choosing your actions and feel ownership over them. Competence is feeling effective and capable in what you do. Relatedness is feeling connected, cared for, and belonging with others. The correct set contains exactly these three needs and no others. Options that include terms like Dependence or Security don’t align with SDT’s framework, since they’re not identified as core needs in this theory. When these needs are satisfied, people tend to experience higher intrinsic motivation, better engagement, and greater well-being, which is why this trio is central to SDT. Note that the order of the three needs isn’t important.

Self-Determination Theory identifies three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy is the sense that you are willingly choosing your actions and feel ownership over them. Competence is feeling effective and capable in what you do. Relatedness is feeling connected, cared for, and belonging with others.

The correct set contains exactly these three needs and no others. Options that include terms like Dependence or Security don’t align with SDT’s framework, since they’re not identified as core needs in this theory.

When these needs are satisfied, people tend to experience higher intrinsic motivation, better engagement, and greater well-being, which is why this trio is central to SDT. Note that the order of the three needs isn’t important.