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Back to Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness by University of Rochester

4.8
stars
485 ratings

About the Course

Self-determination theory (SDT) is an empirically based theory of motivation and psychological development that is especially focused on the basic psychological needs that promote high quality motivation and wellness, and how they are supported in social contexts. SDT details how the styles and strategies of motivators such as parents, teachers, coaches, managers, and health-care professionals can promote or undermine engagement and the positive consequences that follow from it. In this course, Professor Richard Ryan, co-founder of the theory, will provide an overview of SDT with special emphasis on how autonomy, competence, and relatedness supports and facilitates behavioral persistence, quality of relationships, and healthy developmental processes, among other topics. He will also discuss the convergence of behavioral phenomenological and neuropsychological aspects of autonomy within SDT research. In addition, he will illustrate practical applications of SDT, with emphasis on educational, work, sport, healthcare and psychotherapy settings....

Top reviews

AY

Dec 19, 2020

Amazing course to learn about human motivation, development and wellnes. Also, for getting to know about research and resourses to promote them in different settings like education, sport or work.

CM

Nov 17, 2020

This course is very helpful. Once finished you will be able to fully understand the SDT. Richard Ryan is a great speaker. He explained the concepts very well. Thank you for this course!

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126 - 150 of 171 Reviews for Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness

By Silviu U

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Apr 7, 2021

The understanding of the course was a bit complicated and the introductions of to many studies. Furthermore the test were too complicated.

By Richard S

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Oct 9, 2020

I absolutely loved the course and would like to have finished it.

Biggest problem- you can't take the tests if you are auditing- or at least submit them. And, because you didn't submit them, the course doesn't think you have completed the module. It essentially kicked me out.

Unfortunately, I had work that kept me away for a week when I was on the last module. The system had me re-enroll in a new course because my group had moved on. All fine. Then it would not let me start back where I left off even though it still showed me as completing those modules. The problem was that I did not pay for the quizzes- I'm auditing the course.

Which also pissed me off because Each time I did the quizzes and came to that button where it would not let me submit my answers- well, aggravating. They should tell you in advance so you don't waste your time. The quizzes are hard and I still went through them but didn't bother to mark answers after a while.

So now I'm unable to advance to the last module where I left off, effectively ending the course for me.

And, add to that, even though the Coursera claims to have a chat function- there are no phone numbers or email addresses you can use to contact as a student-the place where they tell you to go chat with someone is just Help Articles.

So: Course Good, Coursera Bad, but-

Having taken many Coursera classes, this is the first one where I was so completely screwed. Every other class has allowed me to take the quizzes and get feedback and I've never had issues with being allowed to re-enter my course where I left off.

By Oliver K

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Feb 21, 2022

Great contents. The didactics are not so helpful, though:

- The video visuals mostly consist of stock photographs, some headings, and the occasional first page of some paper. So the visuals are mostly decorative and do not contain much helpful content. There are no slides for download and for review after the course. This makes studying for the quizzes really hard.

- The officially required reading are 50-100 pages of papers per week. This is too much (compared to what is checked in the quizzes), and also not a good format to use for studying for the quizzes.

- The quizzes often use negated questions ("Which of the following is NOT an example of …"), which is completely irrelevant for checking whether the student has understood the material, but it increases the chances of getting the answer wrong by accident.

- The feedback to the incorrectly answered quiz questions only shows which questions the student got wrong, but not which option was wrong and which would have been correct. This is very unhelpful for reading the feedback and learning from it.

All in all, not a good course for learning about this topic. The time would be better spend reading the recommended book. (And I really would have expected a professor of psychology to exhibit better didactic skills. After all, how learning works and what a teacher can do to support this is part of the field of psychology.)

By Lina

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May 27, 2021

Repetitive. Autonomy is key.

By Nathaly d S C A

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Aug 11, 2023

It has been an amazing experience for me. This course helps me a lot in all my roles, as a mother, as a worker, as a wife, as a friend, as a citizen, as a human being! If you want to learn the basics of how to improve your own motivation or the motivation of the people around you, this course is for you. It doesn't give a lot of specific examples of what you need to do, but it will help you to know the differences between what kind of behaviour or environment improves motivation and what undermines it.

By G.K. S

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Mar 17, 2024

Dr. Ryan's measured pace ensure that his lectures are both enjoyable and easy to follow. He uses a perfect balance of speaking and visuals that make the copious research references fully integrate into his message. Really, how often do you get the opportunity to study with the person who created the theory? This course revolutionized my understanding of and approach to motivating myself and those I work with. This is a great course by a great teacher.

By Sepidehsadat S

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Jan 27, 2022

Such an excellent course! I took this course only out of curiosity, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It helped me understand myself and how what I've been through in life affected my personality. What I've learned in this course sounds very logical and intelligent, and hopefully, I can use the content to improve the quality of my life.

By Wendy M

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Aug 29, 2023

Phew! Although this is an introduction to Self-Determination Theory, it feels very comprehensive. I am looking forward to extending my knowledge in this theory and how it applies in various empirical situations, and am grateful for what I think has been a firm grounding in understanding the mini-theories and how they integrate.

By Kirti A

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Jan 19, 2022

The course had great structure and an even better tutor! The best thing was that we were taught about the theory by one of the founders of the theory himself. Big thanks to Professor Ryan. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about SDT and am now motivated to delve deeper into this comprehensive theory.

By Abhay S A

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Apr 28, 2022

amazing course really an different to deal with problems in our daily life it was so helpful that even by taking this course I was felling that I am ganing true knowledge. REALLY NOTHING WAS REPEATED EVERY SESSION WAS SOMETHING NEW I JUST LOVED IT.

By Arturo I H J

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Mar 7, 2022

SDT is one the best ways to explain how motivation works for the human race.

Definitely it has apported to the psychology field and we should know it if we are trying to understand a little more the human behavior.

¡bravo!

By Mary H A

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Feb 4, 2022

My very first online course and I never expected that this would be of high quality teaching. The professor knows very well what he is talking about and can clearly convey the idea of SDT. Splendid!

By BESTE K

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Nov 6, 2022

Made me recognize and reevaluate the way I was motivated in doing things, and realize why I was motivated that way. Really a great course towards understanding both your environment and yourself.

By A G

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Oct 16, 2023

This is probably the most amazing course on Coursera I've taken so far! The theory itself is wonderful! Thank you very much!

By Hemanth H

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Jun 24, 2022

Great course that reflect on Self determination, Intrinsic motivation that lead to one's development and wellness as well.

By Carola M R

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Feb 3, 2022

Great introduction to the theory, gives you a overview with great examples, angles and the studies are very interesting.

By catalina p

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Sep 27, 2023

This is one of the most complete courses i´ve taken in this plataform. Great references and very good classes. Thanks!

By Zane V

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Mar 2, 2023

This course was so valuable and informative! It was great, so great combination of lectures and researches presented.

By Arthur Z

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May 14, 2023

The course provide useful insights. It was well set up and interesting to follow. Dr. Ryan is a pleasant teacher.

By Carol L M H

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Feb 19, 2022

Very enlightening! This really explains a lot concerning motivation of individuals and how it can be enhanced.

By Helta A

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Sep 27, 2022

This course gives me a new insight to SDT theory on motivation. I feel satisfied. Thank you.

By Stephen S

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Dec 27, 2022

I wish I had taken this class at the start of my teaching career and before I had children.

By Roopali S

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May 4, 2022

This course was well expalined with backed researches and papaers to prove their theories.

By Samantha C

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Apr 5, 2023

I really enjoyed this, I found it relatively easy to follow and well explained.