Self-Determination Theory and the Emerging Fields of Relationship Science and Niche Construction Theory

In this paper we summarise the basic tenets of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). As a special\udoccasion for this overview, we review two recently published edited books on relationship motiv -\udation (WEINSTEIN 2014) and work motivation (GAGNÉ 2014) because both of them rely extensively\udon SDT concepts and principles while they extend the conceptual frames of the theory to several\uddirections and applied fields. Furthermore, we argue that the basic propositions of SDT may contribute\udto the emerging field of the so called Relationship Science, the continuously forming interdisciplinary\udknowledge base on close relationships. On the other hand we propose that SDT could\udand should be further enriched by broader system theoretical approaches. Therefore we outline the\udevolutionary theoretical principles of human agency as represented in Niche Construction Theory\udand its applications in social sciences. While a complete theoretical integration exceeds the frames\udof a review, we draw a series of conclusions that may point in this direction