Predicting the subjective experience of intrinsic motivation: the roles of self-determination, the balance of challenges and skills, and self-realization values

Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2003 Nov;29(11):1447-58. doi: 10.1177/0146167203256907.

Abstract

A series of studies was conducted to investigate the contributions of self-determination, perceived competence, and self-realization values to the subjective experience of intrinsic motivation. Using varying sets of instructions in these studies, college undergraduates generated and subsequently evaluated panels of identity-related activities. Three measures of the subjective experience of intrinsic motivation were used as outcome variables: (a) interest, (b) flow experiences, and (c) feelings of personal expressiveness. These subjective experience measures were strongly intercorrelated. Across studies, self-determination was found to be strongly associated with all of the subjective experience measures. In contrast, self-realization values made larger contributions to flow experiences and to personal expressiveness than to interest. Perceived competence, although significantly correlated with all subjective experience measures, played a considerably smaller role in the prediction of intrinsic motivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Affect
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Personal Autonomy*
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Social Values*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires