Basic psychological need theory: Advancements, critical themes, and future directions

Abstract

The study of basic psychological needs has witnessed a strong revival, in part spurred by Basic Psychological Need Theory (BPNT), one of the six mini-theories within Self-Determination Theory. Empirical studies on BPNT have increased exponentially since the millennium turn, leading to refinements and extensions in theory. In this contribution we review these two decades of research in order to introduce two special issues on BPNT. We first discuss key criteria that define and identify a basic need within BPNT. We then review several need-relevant themes, highlighting advancements and trends that characterize contemporary research on BPNT. Specifically, we address potential extensions of the shortlist of basic psychological needs, the role of psychological need frustration in increasing vulnerability to maladjustment, the study of the interface between individuals' psychological and physical needs (e.g., sleep, sex, hunger), novel insights into critical need-supportive and need-thwarting practices, and the universality (versus variability) of effects of need satisfactions and supports across demographics, psychological characteristics, and cultural contexts. We also situate each of the 19 contributions that appear in this special double-issue on BPNT within these themes, while suggesting avenues for further research on the role of basic psychological needs in motivation, adjustment, and wellness.

Sex and Careers of University Students in Educational Practices as Factors of Individual Differences in Learning Environment and Psychological Factors during COVID-19

“…This has been established in various research studies that suggest that belonging to a sporting environment [70][71][72] helps individuals in their critical development, including Castro et al's conclusions on their study in which they highlight that a task-involving climate and engagement in physical activity are both associated with lower levels of life stress and higher levels of academic performance [73]. Likewise, prior research [74,75] has demonstrated the importance of psychological needs to the development and wellbeing of individuals. This has strong implications for educational science, motivation, and social development adapted to specific context [76].…”

Perceived Motivational Climates and Employee Energy: The Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs

“…Further, scholars have called for research that fits the dimensions of work engagement (e.g., vigor) with other theories of motivation than those that have already been clarified (Meyer and Gagné, 2008;Christian et al, 2011). Our study intends to contribute to the literature by answering such calls to clarify environmental determinants and mechanisms of future energy from a motivational point of view (Meyer and Gagné, 2008;Shirom, 2010;Aronsson et al, 2017;Vansteenkiste et al, 2020). Thus, it is expected that a perceived motivational climate impacts future energy through employee need satisfaction.…”

“…The need for competence has been characterized as an individual's striving to exercise and express abilities; thus, one has a need to experience a sense of mastery and confidence in action (Deci and Ryan, 2002;Vansteenkiste et al, 2020). Such a need is satisfied when individuals experience the opportunity to extend their expertise and skills (Vansteenkiste et al, 2020).…”

“…The need for autonomy has been defined as an individual's efforts to determine his/her own behavior and act based on interest and integrated values (Deci and Ryan, 1985). Individuals who have this need satisfied experience a sense of integrity because their emotions, cognitions, and behaviors are authentic and self-initiated (Vansteenkiste et al, 2020). Last, the need for relatedness characterizes individuals' attempts to have a coherent and satisfying involvement with others (Deci and Ryan, 2002).…”

“…Self-determination theory posits that social-environmental factors influence employees' motivation and experiences through the mediating variables of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Vallerand, 1997;Gagné and Deci, 2005;Deci et al, 2017). Further, social conditions that give opportunities to satisfy the three fundamental psychological needs are predicted to facilitate energy and well-being (Ng et al, 2012;Vansteenkiste et al, 2020). Mastery and performance climates represent such social conditions that may contribute to either enhance or reduce need satisfaction (Ntoumanis and Biddle, 1999) and in turn influence employees' energy (see Figure 1).…”