Self-determination theory (SDT) allows explaining the needed influences and inputs, which should be applied to learners to affect their motivation. Per the method, the three required needs for efficacy are “competence, relatedness, and autonomy,” which help make up the driving force behind people’s actions. Thus, if a person does not realize their potential by satisfying those three needs, it may be impossible to achieve professional heights and personal accomplishment.
SDT delineates motivation as stemming from the satisfaction of choice needs. A lack of fulfillment in competence, which is the understanding of having a positive effect on one’s environment, as well as relatedness to surroundings and thought-and-body autonomy, may lead to a deterioration of personality. However, when stimulated, each of these needs allows furthering intrinsic motivation through the positive motivation of people’s driving motives. This approach helps individuals achieve positive emotions, such as joy from their work, the realization of being part of an ongoing process, and self-orienting behavior. Thus, a person’s environment is decisive when inspiring further motivated actions, as it needs to be reflective of their efforts to reinforce positive conduct further. The motivation of learners, therefore, becomes a loop within which guides need to introduce positive reinforcement that appeals to the three basic motivational needs of its participants.
When people do not feel that their actions have consequences, either positive or negative, they are less inclined to continue in their behavior. As a social species, humankind requires to be in balance with affecting processes, being presented with effects of their work that allow the process of labor to become its own encouragement. The SDT thus allows recognizing the positive ways in which people may be affected to become better versions of their professional selves.