| Abstract: | The comment by R. M. Ryan and E. L. Deci (see record 1989-34660-001) addresses a study (R. Butler; see record 1988-21628-001) in which I investigated the motivational effects of different kinds of information. Findings were related to several issues, including the different emphases of J. G. Nicholls's (see record 1984-28719-001) theory of task/ego involvement and their cognitive evaluation theory. Ryan and Deci's comment on my article reflects cognitive evaluation theory's emphasis on perceived autonomy as the major determinant of intrinsic motivation. I discuss certain methodological and conceptual limitations of their approach in understanding the impact of different achievement goals and competence strivings on intrinsically motivated behavior. I suggest that it would be fruitful to work toward a synthesis between cognitive evaluation theory and achievement theory that would clarify the relation between perceptions of autonomy and conceptions of competence. Such a synthesis should be helpful in achieving their common aim of promoting task-involved, intrinsically motivated learning in the classroom. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
