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Understanding children's motivation from a self‐determination theoretical perspective: Implications for practice
Author(s) -
Poulsen Anne A.,
Rodger Sylvia,
Ziviani Jenny M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2006.00569.x
Subject(s) - self determination theory , psychology , competence (human resources) , autonomy , occupational therapy , perspective (graphical) , intrinsic motivation , goal theory , cognitive evaluation theory , context (archaeology) , applied psychology , social psychology , developmental psychology , computer science , paleontology , artificial intelligence , psychiatry , political science , law , biology
Background: This paper investigates three human psychological needs — autonomy, competence and relatedness — within the context of self‐determination theory (SDT). Meeting these needs in therapeutic environments is congruent with principles of client‐centred practice.Aims: A key objective is to describe how SDT can increase understanding of children's motivation and their willingness to engage in occupations. An additional objective is to investigate commonalities between SDT and specific client‐centred approaches such as cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO‐OP).Method and Results: Literature about SDT is reviewed and a model of motivation based on self‐determination and flow theory is presented. Clinical examples are used to highlight theoretical principles.Conclusions: It is proposed that understanding theories of motivation, such as SDT and flow, can further occupational therapists’ understanding of the psychological processes involved in client‐centred practice, particularly when working with children. This information has the potential to enhance clinical knowledge about activity choices to promote children's participation.