The bright and dark side of autonomy: How autonomy support and thwarting relate to student motivation and academic functioning

According to Self-Determination Theory, autonomy support is essential in fostering optimal learning, growth, and functioning students across all levels. In contrast, thwarting associated with student malfunctioning. The purpose of the current study was investigate relationship between perceptions thwarting, students’ autonomous controlled motivations, aspects a higher education setting. sample consisted 414 Norwegian university recruited from introductory calculus courses. Structural equation modeling indicated that perceived predicts motivation negatively linked motivation. Autonomy positively We found engagement, effort, learning. Controlled vitality effort. results are line tenets present highlights importance providing an supportive environment during lectures.