Activity factor, motivation theory

In their influential self-determination theory, Deci and Ryan developed the basic psychological needs concept, an organismic theory to explain why certain kinds of activities are motivating (Deci Ryan, 1985, 2000 Krapp Prenzel, 2011). They identified three basic needs as highly important for motivation the perception of autonomy, of competence, and of social embeddedness. For school education, Prenzel (1997) extended these needs by three additional factors the perception of relevance, the interest of the educator, and the quaUty of instruction. 

At the opposite end lies the Intrinsic Motivation, ananating from interest and pleasure. In addition, the theory defines a situation of Amotivation, where the individual is bereft of any intention to act, because he/she attributes lack of importance to the activity, or lack of any feeling of competence to do it. The theory states that as much as motivation emanates from more intrinsic factors, the higher its quality will be. 

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