Q1
What are the three basic psychological needs in Self-Determination Theory (SDT)?
A
Autonomy, Belonging, Purpose
B
Competence, Relatedness, Autonomy
C
Motivation, Purpose, Feedback
D
Autonomy, Challenge, Achievement
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – Belonging and purpose are related but not part of SDT's core trio
B: Correct – These are the three innate psychological needs identified in SDT
C: Incorrect – These are not the core SDT needs
D: Incorrect – Challenge and achievement are outcomes, not needs
Q2
According to SDT, what is intrinsic motivation?
A
Motivation driven by rewards or punishments
B
Doing an activity for the inherent satisfaction of the activity itself
C
Acting without any motivation at all
D
Participating in activities to please others
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – This defines extrinsic motivation
B: Correct – Intrinsic motivation is about enjoyment and interest in the activity itself
C: Incorrect – That describes amotivation
D: Incorrect – This is more aligned with introjected regulation
Q3
What does the organismic integration theory explain within SDT?
A
The physiological origins of motivation
B
Different forms of extrinsic motivation and their degree of internalization
C
The neurological structures related to autonomy
D
The connection between genetics and personality
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – This is outside the scope of SDT
B: Correct – Organismic integration theory clarifies how extrinsic motivation can become internalized
C: Incorrect – SDT is a psychological theory, not a neurobiological one
D: Incorrect – Not part of SDT theory
Q4
What is 'amotivation' as defined in SDT?
A
A strong desire to control others
B
High levels of engagement and satisfaction
C
Lack of intention to act or effort
D
An autonomous form of external motivation
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – That relates to control, not motivation absence
B: Incorrect – Amotivation implies disengagement
C: Correct – Amotivation is a state of not being motivated at all
D: Incorrect – There’s nothing autonomous about amotivation
Q5
What distinguishes identified regulation from introjected regulation?
C
It is more autonomous and self-endorsed
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Identified is more internal
B: Incorrect – Identified regulation is conscious
C: Correct – Identified regulation involves accepting a behavior as personally meaningful
D: Incorrect – That describes introjected regulation
Q6
In SDT, what happens when the need for autonomy is frustrated?
A
Employees become more creative
B
Individuals show stronger intrinsic motivation
C
Motivation decreases due to perceived control
D
The need for competence becomes dominant
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Creativity generally declines with autonomy frustration
B: Incorrect – Intrinsic motivation declines, not increases
C: Correct – Lack of autonomy leads to demotivation
D: Incorrect – This isn’t a hierarchical tradeoff
Q7
Which of the following is an example of external regulation?
A
Reading because it's fun
B
Studying to avoid guilt
C
Attending a training only because it’s mandatory
D
Volunteering due to shared values
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – That’s intrinsic motivation
B: Incorrect – That’s introjected regulation
C: Correct – External regulation is driven by external demands
D: Incorrect – That would be integrated regulation
Q8
What type of motivation involves doing something to maintain self-esteem?
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – This implies no motivation
B: Incorrect – This is about external incentives
C: Correct – Introjected regulation involves avoiding guilt or boosting ego
D: Incorrect – That’s about value alignment
Q9
Why is intrinsic motivation often absent in lower-level jobs or developing countries?
A
There are fewer training opportunities
B
The work environment often lacks autonomy and meaning
C
Workers are not capable of experiencing intrinsic motivation
D
Intrinsic motivation depends only on income level
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – Training isn't the central issue
B: Correct – SDT emphasizes how context affects motivation
C: Incorrect – Everyone has the potential for intrinsic motivation
D: Incorrect – Intrinsic motivation is not income-dependent
Q10
What does the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale often treat as the most autonomous form of extrinsic motivation?
Correct Answer: D
A: Incorrect – This is hard to measure, so it's not commonly used
B: Incorrect – This is the least autonomous form
C: Incorrect – This reflects guilt-based motivation
D: Correct – Identified regulation is often used as a proxy for autonomy in measurement
Q11
According to SDT, which factor undermines autonomy and demotivates employees?
A
Offering employees flexible scheduling
B
Providing honest and timely feedback
C
Micromanaging every aspect of a task
D
Recognizing employee contributions
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Flexibility supports autonomy
B: Incorrect – Constructive feedback promotes competence
C: Correct – Micromanagement removes autonomy
D: Incorrect – Recognition often boosts motivation
Q12
Which of the following is most aligned with integrated regulation?
A
Doing community service to earn extra credit
B
Exercising to fulfill a New Year’s resolution
C
Recycling because it fits with your personal values
D
Studying because others expect you to
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – This is external regulation
B: Incorrect – This may be introjected regulation
C: Correct – Integrated regulation aligns behavior with core values
D: Incorrect – That’s introjected or external regulation
Q13
Which of the following is NOT an outcome of satisfying the three basic psychological needs?
A
Greater job satisfaction
B
Decreased organizational citizenship behavior
C
Creativity and cognitive flexibility
D
Psychological well-being
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – This is a well-supported SDT outcome
B: Correct – SDT predicts an increase, not decrease, in citizenship behavior
C: Incorrect – SDT predicts creativity under need satisfaction
D: Incorrect – Need satisfaction boosts well-being
Q14
What does the term “organizational zombies” refer to in the SDT lecture video?
A
Employees who resist authority
B
Teams with strong cohesion
C
Individuals lacking motivation and acting without intent
D
Workers who are highly goal-driven
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Resistance isn’t the same as apathy
B: Incorrect – Cohesion implies engagement
C: Correct – Amotivated individuals show zombie-like disengagement
D: Incorrect – Goal-driven workers are motivated
Q15
Which form of extrinsic motivation is closest to intrinsic motivation in SDT?
Correct Answer: D
A: Incorrect – Least autonomous
B: Incorrect – Still involves internal pressure
C: Incorrect – Valuable but not fully congruent
D: Correct – Fully integrated with the self
Q16
What is a major challenge in measuring integrated regulation in empirical SDT research?
A
It changes too quickly over time
B
It cannot be experienced in organizations
C
It is conceptually hard to distinguish from identified regulation
D
It is irrelevant to organizational outcomes
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Stability isn’t the main issue
B: Incorrect – It can be experienced, but is hard to measure
C: Correct – Identified and integrated are hard to differentiate in surveys
D: Incorrect – Integrated regulation is highly relevant
Q17
Which of the following best describes “introjected regulation”?
A
Motivation based on core values
B
Motivation based on external demands
C
Motivation driven by guilt or need to boost ego
D
Motivation to enjoy an activity
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – That describes integrated regulation
B: Incorrect – External regulation fits this better
C: Correct – Introjected regulation involves internal pressures like guilt
D: Incorrect – Enjoyment is intrinsic motivation
Q18
In SDT, what condition is required to facilitate self-determined change?
A
Compliance with deadlines
C
Satisfaction of basic psychological needs
D
Emphasis on hierarchical leadership
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Deadlines may support or harm motivation
B: Incorrect – Incentives can sometimes undermine autonomy
C: Correct – Need satisfaction is the driver of self-determined change
D: Incorrect – Hierarchy can undermine autonomy
Q19
How does SDT explain the ineffectiveness of rewards and surveillance in motivation?
A
They are too expensive to maintain
B
They violate laws of learning
C
They often fail to support autonomy, competence, and relatedness
D
They make employees too competitive
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Cost isn’t the main concern in SDT
B: Incorrect – Learning theory is not central to SDT
C: Correct – Such practices undermine psychological needs
D: Incorrect – Competition may be a symptom, not a cause
Q20
What research-supported finding relates to family motivation within the SDT framework?
A
Family motivation always enhances job performance
B
Family motivation reduces stress and burnout
C
Family motivation can compensate for low intrinsic motivation
D
Family motivation is unrelated to SDT
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Only under low intrinsic motivation does it help
B: Incorrect – The study found performance improved, not stress reduced
C: Correct – Family motivation energizes performance when intrinsic motivation is lacking
D: Incorrect – SDT can be extended to include family motivation
Application Questions
Application Q1
Self-determination theory highlights the importance of autonomy.
- In what ways does your dissertation context (e.g., school, university, organization, system) support or undermine autonomy for key actors?
- How might autonomy be restored or enhanced in your dissertation research?
Application Q2
Reflect on the construct of intrinsic motivation.
- What aspects of your research participants’ roles or behaviors might be driven by intrinsic motivation?
- How could you design your dissertation research to distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Application Q3
Think about the need for competence.
- How might you measure or observe expressions of competence in your participants?
- How does this relate to the outcomes you are studying?
Application Q4
SDT distinguishes between introjected and identified regulation.
- In your dissertation research setting, how might individuals be acting out of guilt or obligation rather than personal endorsement?
- How could this influence the interpretation of your data?
Application Q5
Organismic Integration Theory proposes a continuum of extrinsic motivation.
- Where do you think your participants’ behaviors fall along this continuum?
- What contextual factors might shift their position?
Application Q6
Consider how feedback is given in your dissertation research context.
- Does it support competence and autonomy, or does it undermine them?
- How might this influence participant motivation?
Application Q7
SDT researchers note measurement difficulties with integrated regulation.
- How might you design your own motivation survey or interview questions to capture nuanced forms of motivation in your study?
Application Q8
The lecture video discusses "organizational zombies."
- Can you identify any amotivated behaviors in your research setting?
- How will you account for amotivation in your analysis?
Application Q9
Family motivation was presented as a complement to SDT.
- Does family motivation emerge in your population or research site?
- How would you distinguish it from intrinsic or extrinsic motives?
Application Q10
Many motivation studies rely on self-report.
- What are the strengths and limitations of self-report in your dissertation research?
- How might you triangulate these data?
Application Q11
Apply SDT to a leadership practice in your professional setting (e.g., decision-making, feedback, goal-setting).
- How might that practice be supporting or frustrating basic psychological needs?
Application Q12
You’re studying performance outcomes.
- Which type(s) of motivation (intrinsic, identified, introjected, etc.) do you think will best predict performance in your case?
Application Q13
Think about how relatedness is fostered or hindered in your dissertation research context.
- How will you measure or observe it?
Application Q14
If your participants are required to engage in certain activities, consider why they comply.
- What forms of regulation might explain their behavior?
Application Q15
Imagine one policy or intervention in your site.
- Would SDT predict that it fosters self-determined behavior or not?
- Why?
Application Q16
The SDT lecture video suggests transformational leadership may foster intrinsic motivation.
- How is transformational leadership relevant in your dissertation?
- How might you examine this link?
Application Q17
In SDT, satisfaction of psychological needs predicts well-being.
- How might you assess well-being in your study?
- What are the implications of your findings for leaders?
Application Q18
If you include motivation as a variable, consider time.
- How might motivation shift across the course of your study (e.g., training period, semester, school year)?
Application Q19
Design one interview question or survey item based on SDT.
- What kind of response would indicate intrinsic motivation?
- What would indicate external regulation?
