Motivation, part Two.

Edward Deci and Richard Ryan were two professors of psychology at the University of Rochester. Deci and Ryan came up with the beginnings of their theory in the 1970s, during a moment in the history of psychology when the field was mostly dominated by behaviorists, who believed that people’s actions were governed solely by their motivation to fulfill basic biological needs and thus were highly responsive to straightforward rewards and punishments. (Remember last week’s bulletin? That doesn’t really work.)

Deci and Ryan, by contrast, argued that we are mostly motivated not by the material consequences of our actions, but by the inherent enjoyment and meaning that those actions bring us, a phenomenon they labeled intrinsic motivation. They identified three key human needs— our need for autonomy, our need for competence, and our need for relatedness, that is, personal connection. And they contended that intrinsic motivation can be sustained only when we feel that those needs are being satisfied.

The first motivating factor is autonomy. It is different from independence. We are not talking about the go it alone, rugged individualism of the American cowboy. Instead, it means acting with intention and choice. We as humans, when we enter the world, we are wired to be active and engaged, not passive and inert.

One of the things we need to think about in our classrooms is how to get our students engaged, how to make them autonomous, in charge of their own learning. Curious, if you will.

One of the keys of autonomy is a positive attitude.

To be totally honest with you, it is something that I am going to challenge everyone to foster in your lives. Being pessimistic is a recipe for low levels of wellbeing. It is a detriment to most professions according to Martin Seligman, the guru of positivity. There is, he says, one glaring exception, pessimists do better at law. The attitude that makes you less happy as a human being actually makes you more effective as a lawyer. (Apologies to all my lawyer parishioners.)

When the pandemic hit, I knew that we did not need any toxic negativity. Actually it is counterproductive any time. This starts with the pastor, and for the most part, I have tried to be upbeat and positive. That does not mean I can do everything you suggest. It does not mean I will agree. But it does mean that I will keep my ears open to your concerns and respect them.

Autonomy is all about taking ownership and over the next few months, I will be challenging some of you to do just that here at Holy Redeemer.
Next week: competence.

Just ask Fr. Kevin

Do you have questions, comments or thoughts about what Fr. Kevin wrote?  Maybe you even have a different question or just wanted to ask something that has been on your mind? Fr. Kevin welcome’s your thoughts, questions or comments. Simply fill out the form below and your message will be submitted directly to him and he’ll get back with you.

Ask Fr. Kevin