Self-determination theory: present and future. Part 1: The problems of theory development

Abstract

Self-determination theory (STD) reflects a modern approach to human motivation, personality and psychological well-being. Main issues of discussions at the conference on self-determination theory at Ghent university (May 13-16th, 2010, Belgium) are considered. Theory development perspectives, new directions of empirical studies, problems of cross-cultural universality of core theory principles are analyzed. Current researches that can be grouped around five sub-theories forming SDT namely cognitive evaluation theory, organismic integration theory, causality orientations theory, basic psychological needs theory, goal contents theory are presented. The second part of the article is devoted to main fields of self-determination theory application such as children-parents relationships, industrial psychology, clinical psychology and health psychology.