Differences in the predictive power of the goal-striving reasons framework and self-determination theory - on a sub-dimensional level - for work, exercising and environmentalism

This study test the relative predictive power of goal-striving reasons framework and self-determination theory for three key life domains (work, exercising and environmentalism). It does so by comparing the relevant sub-dimensions of the two theories (approach/avoidance within goal-striving reasons framework and autonomous/non-autonomous within self-determination theory). The findings of this longitudinal study (N = 139), using multiple regression analyses (enter method), show that, overall, the approach/avoidance sub-dimension is a better predictors of people’s positive psychological functioning at work and for exercising whereas the level of environmentalism was better predicted by autonomous or non-autonomous forms of motivation . This further substantiates the theoretical differences between the approach/avoidance based goal-striving reasons framework and autonomy focussed theories such as self-determination theory. This is because the approach/avoidance dimension is more sensitive for the affective experiences in people’s life. Given the importance of frequent positive affect and infrequent negative affect for people’s psychological functioning this is an important finding. It enables researchers to make an informed decision which model to use when measuring the quality of people’s reasons why they engage in certain life domains.