Self-Determination Theory and the Emerging Fields of Relationship Science and Niche Construction Theory
Self-Determination Theory and the Emerging Fields of Relationship Science and Niche Construction Theory

Summary/Abstract: In this paper we summarise the basic tenets of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). As a specialoccasion for this overview, we review two recently published edited books on relationship motiv -ation (WEINSTEIN 2014) and work motivation (GAGNÉ 2014) because both of them rely extensivelyon SDT concepts and principles while they extend the conceptual frames of the theory to severaldirections and applied fields. Furthermore, we argue that the basic propositions of SDT may contributeto the emerging field of the so called Relationship Science, the continuously forming interdisciplinaryknowledge base on close relationships. On the other hand we propose that SDT couldand should be further enriched by broader system theoretical approaches. Therefore we outline theevolutionary theoretical principles of human agency as represented in Niche Construction Theoryand its applications in social sciences. While a complete theoretical integration exceeds the framesof a review, we draw a series of conclusions that may point in this direction.

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