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1985Learning

Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory

The point, in one line

Autonomy, competence, relatedness. Plus the warning this platform needs most: points can reduce the very willingness they reward.

How it works

Children who already liked drawing drew less afterwards once a reward had been promised; three needs keep a person working, and a reward promised in advance goes around them.

AutonomyI act by my own will rather than being pushed.
CompetenceI can see I am getting good at this.
RelatednessI matter to others and they to me.
A badge should attest to competence; it will not buy attendance, and trying to buy it spoils what you already had for free.
The same thing, in your club
  1. The situation

    The board decides to award points for attending meetings, so people turn up.

  2. What the model says

    Most of them came for the people and the work. Once an external reason appears the internal one fades — the overjustification effect.

  3. What you do

    Drop the promise, and this week tell one person specifically what they did well and what difference it made. Promise nothing in advance.

What it claims

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Who created it

D+R1985
An illustrated emblem, not a portrait.
Edward L. Deci (1942–2026) and Richard M. Ryan (b. 1953)
1985

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Why this is your problem

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Why gslk uses it

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Where it runs in the product

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Source

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Rights and licence
In copyright

The primary source is in copyright. This page retells it in our own words and cites it rather than reproducing it.

What this connects to

These works are related to the one you just read — and not by accident:

Grounds these competency domains

Of the ten gslk competency domains, this work grounds:

The student version
Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory

The same work written for a member: what to do with it in the club.

Check it yourself

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