Self-Determination Theory and Public Policy: Improving the Quality of Consumer Decisions Without Using Coercion

Arlen C. Moller is a doctoral candidate (e-mail: moller@psych. rochester.edu), Richard M. Ryan is a professor (e-mail: ryan@psych. rochester.edu), and Edward L. Deci is Professor of Psychology and Gowen Professor in the Social Sciences (e-mail: deci@psych. rochester.edu), Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, University of Rochester. The authors thank Glenn T. Moller and Jackson Moller for their helpful comments on prior versions of this article. Self-determination theory (SDT; Deci and Ryan 1985; Ryan and Deci 2000b) is a macro theory of human motivation in which issues related to choice or, more precisely, to human autonomy are in the forefront. Unlike most theories of motivation, which treat motivation as a unitary concept that differs in amount but not in kind, SDT has differentiated the concept of motivation in part by specifying types of motivational processes that differ in the degree to which they represent autonomy versus control. In this article, we use the SDT view of motivation to shed light on issues related to public policy. The first section of the article introduces SDT and the concept of autonomy as they relate to self-regulation and choice. Because autonomy is a controversial concept about which there are many views, we begin with a clear delineation of the central terms. We then present evidence for understanding autonomy or the experience of choice as a basic psychological need that is essential for people’s psychological health and well-being. Furthermore, we explain why the use of autonomy support to motivate behavior change is often more effective than the use of coercion. To help illustrate the utility of considering SDT in drafting public policy, we offer concrete strategies in two domains: First, we consider how to implement policy that motivates reuse and recycling, endorsing some strategies but not others. Second, we recommend strategies for encouraging healthier eating habits to curb obesity. Finally, we emphasize the importance of evaluating policy on a broad level and with a long-term perspective to understand the benefits of using autonomy-supportive policy. SDT and the Concepts of Autonomy and Choice