“…Formally, SDT supports six mini‐theories: - Cognition evaluation theory (CET; Deci & Ryan, , ; Ryan, ; Ryan, Mims, & Koestner, ) mainly discusses the impact of external events (including incentives, set periods, competitions, and goals) on the supporting and thwarting of intrinsic motivation, and this mini‐theory is often used in a studying or working environment (Mandigo & Holt, ; Matosic, Cox, & Amorose, ).
- Organismic integration theory (OIT; Ryan & Deci, ) is concerned with various types of motivation, as well as their specific antecedents and effects on behavior quality and psychological well‐being (Altintas & Guerrien, ; Philippe & Vallerand, ; Stephan, Boiché, & Le Scanff, ).
- Causality orientations theory (COT; Deci & Ryan, ) focuses on individual differences in motivation style and refers to the degree to which people tend to orient toward the external environment or toward goal attainment (Rose, Parfitt, & Williams, ; Soenens, Berzonsky, Vansteenkiste, Beyers, & Goossens, ).
- Basic psychological needs theory (BPNT; Ryan & Deci, ) mainly considers the three innate psychological needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—and addresses the relationship of basic psychological need satisfaction to well‐being (Mackenzie, Karaolas, & Starzyk, ; Souesme, Martinent, & Ferrand, ).
- Goal contents theory (GCT; Deci & Ryan, ; Sheldon, Ryan, Deci, & Kasser, ) is based on two categories of goal attainment: extrinsic goals (e.g., pursuit of wealth, fame, and image) and intrinsic goals (e.g., pursuit of personal growth, relationships, and contribution to community), and their relationship to individual behavior and wellness. This mini‐theory is often applied in the contexts of work and the classroom (Vansteenkiste, Simons, Lens, Sheldon, & Deci, ; Vansteenkiste, Timmermans, Lens, Soenens, & Van den Broeck, ).
- Relationships motivation theory (RMT; Deci & Ryan, ) concerns the qualities of close relationships and their consequences (Hadden, Rodriguez, Knee, & Porter, ; Weinstein, Hodgins, & Ryan, ).
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