February 4, 2015 by Shannon
February 4th 2015. This Gamasutra article explores how Warner Bros. Games’ studio Monolith designed the Nemesis gaming system of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) concepts. What made this game distinctive from other games was the Nemesis system and its ability to enable narrative and a player-driven story supportive of the basic psychological needs, which...
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January 14, 2015 by Shannon
January 14th 2014. Self-Determination Theory faculty Dr. Adam Grant cited in Huffington Post blog on workplace satisfaction. “People work so hard, yet so often they never get to meet the people directly impacted by their work. Companies need to place more emphasis on “end user” connection because the research in this area is nothing short...
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January 11, 2015 by Shannon
January 11th 2014. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2010 showed that spending even just 20 minutes a day in fresh air boosts vitality that is, having both physical and mental energy. “Research has shown that people with a greater sense of vitality don’t just have more energy for things they...
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January 1, 2015 by Shannon
January 1st 2015. Call for Self-Determination Theory Faculty We are now accepting nominations for the SDT Faculty webpage. If you, or someone you know, is working and generating research within the SDT tradition and hold(s) a PhD, please email the following information to: info@selfdeterminationtheory.org Name of candidate (self nominations are strongly encouraged); Contact information; University/organization affiliation; and Reference list...
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December 12, 2014 by Shannon
One of SDT’s faculty, Dr. Rashmi Kusurkar, was recently awarded the “Best Thesis Prize 2014” by the Dutch Medical Education Association (NVMO). Her thesis, entitled “Motivation in Medical Students,” examines medical students’ motivation, in particular the importance of quality of motivation and the factors influencing their motivation. This prize is awarded every two years by...
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October 14, 2014 by Shannon
The Three Basic Psychological Needs by Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, demonstrated in this video from our friends at Camping Coast to Coast.
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September 25, 2014 by Shannon
September 25th 2014. Studies have found that having weekends to relax not only makes us happier, but healthier, too: Far from frivolous, the relatively unfettered time on weekends provides critical opportunities for bonding with others, exploring interests and relaxing—basic psychological needs. -Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester One study on why...
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August 18, 2014 by Shannon
August 18th 2014. Scientists Richard M. Ryan from the University of Rochester and Christina Frederick from the University of Southern Utah have taken an extensive look at the concept of subjective vitality as a reflection of well-being. Ryan and Frederick argue that subjective vitality is enhanced when the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are...
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August 1, 2014 by Shannon
August 1st 2014. The Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) research program was conducted as a pilot evaluation of a partly virtualized intervention that delivered content along with 6 monthly visits with a registered dietitian. The results of this intervention produced clinically significant weight loss and improvements in glycemic control, blood pressure, and...
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