The Oxford Handbook of Self-Determination Theory

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a broad theory of psychological growth and wellness that has revolutionized how we think about human motivation. SDT has been the basis for new and more effective practices in parenting, education, business, sport, healthcare, and other areas of life fostering higher-quality motivation, engagement, connection, and wellness. Drawing on over four decades of evidence-based research and application, this handbook delivers a truly integrative volume with 57 chapters by the top researchers and experts within the field of SDT. Edited by an SDT cofounder, this handbook traces the theory's historical and scientific foundations and synthesizes the latest research and insights on human motivation, covering topics from the social and biological underpinnings of motivation and wellness to practical applications in all aspects of life. The Oxford Handbook of Self-Determination Theory is an invaluable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students interested in practical research and guidance on the study of human nature.

About the Author

Richard M. Ryan is a Professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at the Australian Catholic University, North Sydney. He is also Distinguished Professor in the College of Education at Ewha Womans University, South Korea, Professor Emeritus in Psychology at the University of Rochester, USA, and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London, UK. As a clinical psychologist and co-developer of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), he is currently the most cited researcher in psychology today. He is the author of over 450 papers and books in the areas of human motivation and well-being, including, Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development and Wellness (2017). He lectures internationally on the factors that promote motivation and healthy psychological and behavioral functioning, applied to such areas as work and organizations, education, health, sport and exercise, video games and virtual environments. He has also been honored with several lifetime achievement awards and honorary professorships and is recognized as one of the eminent psychologists of the modern era.