Self-determination theory as an alternate conceptual foundation for motivation in natural resource research
Motivation is a topic that receives substantial interest across the social sciences. However, in the human dimensions of natural resource literature, scholars have primarily treated motivation as a construct narrowly defined by the individual’s desired goal state. In contrast, self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that multiple forms of motivation can influence levels of self-determination, integration of identities, and subsequent behavioral intentions, and has been utilized in multiple realms to understand human behavior. SDT forms a consistent and well-understood mechanism for human psychological development and optimal function and allows for the formulation of out-of-sample prediction, a cornerstone of science. In this manuscript, we review the basic theories that make up SDT and provide insight for its application to human dimensions of natural resource research.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2024 |
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Title | Self-determination theory as an alternate conceptual foundation for motivation in natural resource research |
DOI | 10.1080/10871209.2023.2285017 |
Authors | Kyle Smith, Adam Landon, David C. Fulton, Gerard Kyle |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Human Dimensions of Wildlife: An International Journal |
Index ID | 70257415 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Coop Res Unit Leetown |