continuum of self-determination<\/h3>\nsdt also posits that motivation exists on a continuum. when an environment provides enough support for the satisfaction of the psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness, an individual may experience self-determined forms of motivation: intrinsic motivation, integration, and identification. self-determined motivation occurs when there is an internal perceived locus of causality (i.e., internal factors are the main driving force for the behavior). integration and identification are also grouped as autonomous extrinsic motivation as the behavior is driven by internal and volitional choice.<\/p>\n
intrinsic motivation<\/strong>, which is the most self-determined type of motivation, occurs when individuals naturally and spontaneously perform behaviors as a result of genuine interest and enjoyment.<\/p>\n
integrated regulation<\/strong> is when individuals identify the importance of a behavior, integrate this behavior into their self-concept, and pursue activities that align with this self-concept.<\/p>\n
identified regulation<\/strong> is where people identify and recognize the value of a behavior, which then drives their action.<\/p>\n
when an environment does not provide enough support for the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, an individual may experience non-self-determined forms of motivation: introjection and external regulation. introjection and external regulation are grouped as controlled extrinsic motivation because people enact these behaviors due to external or internal pressures.<\/p>\n
introjected regulation<\/strong> occurs when individuals are controlled by internalized consequences administered by the individual themselves, such as pride, shame, or guilt.<\/p>\n
external regulation<\/strong> is when people\u2019s behaviors are controlled exclusively by external factors, such as rewards or punishments.<\/p>\n
finally, at the bottom of the continuum is amotivation, which is lowest form of motivation.<\/p>\n
amotivation<\/strong> exists when there is a complete lack of intention to behave and there is no sense of achievement or purpose when the behavior is performed.<\/p>\n
below is a figure depicting the continuum of self-determination taken from lonsdale, hodge, and rose (2009).<\/p>\n