COMMENTARIES Fundamental Human Needs: Making Social Cognition Relevant

Research on intrinsic motivation, much of which has progressed within the framework of Deci and Ryan’s (this issue) self-determination theory, has profoundly shifted our view of how people respond to rewards and punishments in terms of interest in and enjoyment of what they do and how they live. A key argument of their work is that controlling external influences, emanating from other people or situations, are associated with suboptimal performance and a lack of satisfaction. This contention is based on their assumption that there is a fundamental human need for autonomy, to freely choose and determine one’s own actions. Hence, having one’s autonomy supported by the environment should be associated with optimal functioning and well-being, and it is. Evidence has accrued across numerous domains and paradigms to substantiate these core claims. Before discussing points of contact between Deci and Ryan’s theory and our own theorizing on human needs, and on the self, significant-other representations, and transference, we highlight some key contributions of their work.