Self-Determination and Choice

Abstract

This chapter introduces the self-determination construct and examines relationships between self- determination and hope, with an emphasis on issues pertaining to the development of self- determination. Self-determination is a construct situated in theories of human agentic behavior and autonomous motivation. People who are self-determined self-regulate action to satisfy basic psychological needs and to act as causal agents in their lives. The self-determination and hope constructs share common theoretical foundations in goal-oriented action, and understanding research in self-determination will assist in understanding pathways thinking, particularly in hope theory. The chapter ends with a summary and a list of questions for readers to consider.