Self-determination Theory

:whistle:
Hi PBers in the UK. PB-USA has been downgraded several times because it is not "evidence based". In other words, we have not done a good job of evaluation...however, this morning I have discovered what may be our solution. Peg Flandreau-West was ahead of her time with PBs. PB is definitely based on the self-determination theory and I have been on several websites that verify this. When you meet in June, please discuss this because it gives us the credibility we need for grants, etc.

One of the quotes that is especially pertinent to PB. "When self determined, people experience a sense of freedom to do what is interesting, personally important, and vitalizing." Deci and Ryan.

The prominent researchers are: Dr. Richard Ryan, and Dr. Edward L. Deci. I quote: "Key studies that led to the emergence of SDT included research on intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation refers to initiating an activity for its own sake because it is interesting and satisfying in itself, as opposed to doing an activity to obtain an external goal (extrinsic motivation). (Substitute relief of EWS here and ability to determine when a situation is dangerous, take action, etc. etc.) Other reading says that external motivation comes often from abuse, the need to please others at the risk of not doing what we would prefer to do, losing our own motivation, etc.

While some of us do not trust Wikipedia completely, there is a good description of the Theory. Google "Self-determination Theory" and it will come up with many references to Ryan and Deci. It is exciting to read because it is all about Protective Behaviors. Ryan also is hosting a 'Self Determination Conference in June in the U.S.' Wish I could go, but...anyway, food for thought and Patrice Taft and I will be meeting tomorrow (Monday, April 15) to set up a workshop and begin the process of working through Deci and Ryan. I was alerted to Deci and Ryan in the "Research Underpinnings of PBs" in S.A.V.E. used in the Madison Public Schools.

Good work Donna. I have come across this before somewhere and will try and look it out. I think it was at a conference and I scribbled points of cross over and interest down and it has ended up in my extensive 'reading' and 'to do' stacks somewhere...still waiting to be rediscovered. I will find the motivation to track it down

Thanks for your post Donna and certainly will refer to this under our *Agenda item regarding PBs as an evidence based programme. Also saw in our national news today reference to how unsafe people who have committed sex offences feel in prison which reminded me of how Penny & Tim have used PBs with people who offend. At the prison in the article it was stated that:

"Almost a fifth of prisoners feel unsafe and there are high levels of victimisation and bullying.
Perhaps most concerning is the fact that, although one in three prisoners at Moorland has been convicted of a sexual offence, the prison failed to offer a single course designed to tackle that behaviour."

Will keep you posted as to how far we get with things at the meeting on 7th June and thanks again for your input.

(* To see what else is currently on the Agenda for 7th June please visit the Trainer area of the forum by following this link: www.pbpeople.org.uk/protective-behaviour...-seaside?start=6#290