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Psychological need‐satisfaction and subjective well‐being within social groups
Author(s) -
Sheldon Ken M.,
Bettencourt B. Ann
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1348/014466602165036
Subject(s) - psychology , deci , optimal distinctiveness theory , feeling , social psychology , autonomy , group cohesiveness , interpersonal communication , belongingness , mood , interpersonal relationship , self determination theory , social comparison theory , group (periodic table) , life satisfaction , happiness , developmental psychology , political science , law , chemistry , organic chemistry
Five candidate measures of psychological need‐satisfaction were evaluated as predictors of high positive and low negative mood within the group, intrinsic motivation for group activities, and high commitment to the group. Consistent with self‐determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1991), personal autonomy and interpersonal relatedness both predicted positive outcomes. Consistent with optimal distinctiveness theory (Brewer, 1991), feeling included within the group, feeling personally distinctive within the group, and feeling that the group is distinctive compared to other groups, also predicted positive outcomes. Simultaneous regression analyses indicated that the five needs were differentially related to the different well‐being indicators, and also suggested that group inclusion may be the most important need to satisfy within group contexts. Supplementary analyses showed that members of formal groups felt less personal autonomy, but more group distinctiveness, compared to informal group members.