The degradation of the environment and climate change represent some of the most important environmental issues affecting our society today, and we need to better understand what can be done in order to mitigate the negative effects of human activity on the environment. The present program of research proposes to examine, through three studies, how the frequency of pro-environmental behaviours (PEB) and harmful-environmental behaviours (HEB) are related to self-determined (SDM) and non-self-determined motivation (NSDM), stages of change (SOC), the satisfaction versus the frustration of basic psychological needs as defined by Self-Determination Theory, and nature relatedness. In Study 1 (N = 377), a scale was created to measure two distinct types of environmental behaviours, PEB and HEB, and the relationships between these types of environmental behaviours and SDM and NSDM were examined. Results demonstrated that both types of behaviours loaded on two distinct factors when conducting an exploratory factor analysis, that they were associated differently with environmental motivation, and that levels of motivation were different according to the reported frequency of adoption of PEB and HEB. In Study 2a (N = 266) and 2b (N = 529), the role of stages of change (SOC) was introduced to determine whether environmental motivation and behaviours were different across SOC and to examine whether SOC played a mediating or moderating role in the relationship between environmental motivation and behaviours. Results indicated that people in the later SOC displayed higher levels of SDM and PEB while people in the earlier stages reported higher levels of NSDM and HEB. It was also observed that SOC partially mediated the relationship between environmental motivation and behaviours. In Study 3 (N = 507) nature relatedness was compared to the satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs proposed by SDT to examine their respective roles in the association of motivation, SOC, PEB and HEB. Results revealed that nature relatedness was incremental to need satisfaction and frustration with regard to levels of SDM. Also, nature relatedness was an important determinant of SOC and both types of environmental behaviours. As for the proposed model, it was demonstrated that high levels of nature relatedness were associated with higher PEB and lower HEB through partial mediation by SDM and SOC, while need frustration was linked to a higher reported frequency of HEB through mediation by NSDM. Overall this thesis expands on SDT research by highlighting the importance of including HEB in conjunction with PEB and by demonstrating the prominent roles that SOC and nature relatedness could play in the motivational process associated with environmental action.

The creation of excessive budgetary slack can be costly, causing organizations to implement internal controls to motivate employees to report more honestly. Internal control research explores many control-related motivations; however, the behavioral effects of autonomy in expanded organizational hierarchies are not well understood in budgeting contexts. This paper examines managerial autonomy and firms’ rationales for the implementation of internal controls in a setting that extends the common participatory dyad utilized in prior literature to an organizational hierarchy that includes owners, mid-level managers, and employees. This setting is explored through the lens of self-determination theory and psychological reactance theory, which offer complementary yet opposite conceptualizations of autonomy. This paper posits that owner restrictions on mid-level manager autonomy can spillover and indirectly influence budgeting decisions. Additionally, the potential for this spillover to influence the relationship between a firm’s rationale for the implementation of internal controls and subsequent budgetary decisions is examined. Findings indicate that the autonomy of mid-level managers has a spillover effect that influences manager’s rejection rates between rounds, but not across rounds and does not interact with a firm’s control implementation rationale.

Although there is ample information on the negative aspects of video game playing, we know less about the benefits and how the benefits transfer to the gamers’ workplace. Further understanding of these relationships may offer employees and employers more insight on how they can reduce counterproductive workplace behaviors (CWB) while also improving workplace morale and productivity. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study is to examine the relationships between time spent engaging in gameplay, workplace self-esteem, and positive and negative workplace behaviors among gamers. Participants anonymously completed an online questionnaire utilizing the Behind the Screen Measure, Counterproductive Workplace Behavior Checklist, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Work Extrinsic Intrinsic Motivation Scale. The crosssectional design consisted of 202 self-identified employed gamers over the age of 18 living in the United States. A series of linear regressions was used to test the hypotheses. According to the study results, frequency of gameplay and workplace self-esteem levels predicted CWB and intrinsic motivation, with low workplace self-esteem being a significant predictor of negative work-related behaviors. Employers, gamers, and friends and family also benefit from the knowledge that over two and a half hours of gaming could have negative effects on their self-esteem and work behaviors. This study facilitates positive social change by promoting a need for increased awareness to gamers and organizations which offer support and long-term positive social change among two different populations.

Many U.S. adolescents struggle with obesity and a lack of motivation to be healthy and physically active, which affects individual as well as public health. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to evaluate students' motivation to participate in physical education class and better understand the teaching strategies currently used by physical education teachers who participated in an interview and 2 observations. Self-determination theory framed the research questions, which focused on students' intrinsic motivation to participate in physical education class and physical education teachers' use of autonomy supportive teaching strategies. Learning Climate and Basic Need surveys were administered to 6th-8th grade students (n = 261). Analysis of descriptive statistics revealed students felt the strongest fulfillment of relatedness from their teacher (M = 5.6) and autonomy support to be the least (M = 4.6). Overall inferential statistics revealed similar results when teachers were compared. Analysis of variance resulted in no significant differences between the teachers as related to competence, relatedness, autonomy, and perceptions. Qualitative data was coded and revealed similar themes; all data revealed relatedness scores were the highest for all the teachers, and autonomy support was the lowest for all the teachers. Positive social change provides an updated 9-week curriculum plan with new units that have been designed to enhance their motivation and create awareness of lifelong physical activities; autonomy supportive teaching strategies have been incorporated in the curriculum.

Syftet med denna studie var att bidra med kunskap om läsmotivation hos högstadieelever i lässvårigheter ur ett elev- och lärarperspektiv. Med en kvalitativ ansats i form av semi-strukturerade forskningsintervjuer undersöktes vilka faktorer som elever och lärare uppfattade som främjande för läsmotivation. Dessutom undersöktes lärares upplevelser av hur de uppmärksammade elever i lässvårigheter, samt vilken ledning, stimulans och extra anpassningar som de upplevde stöttande. Forskningen som låg till grund för denna studie lyfte fram flera motivationshöjande faktorer; hemmet som förebild, tidig lästräning, stärka elevernas självförtroende i läsning, undervisa om lässtrategier, berika ordförrådet, använda intresseväckande texter, valfrihet, att arbeta med strukturerade textsamtal, samt att främja goda relationer i klassrummet. Denna studie hade en fenomenologisk inriktning som studerar människors livsvärldar och ser det unika i var och ens upplevelser. De teoretiska utgångspunkterna var self-determination theory, självbestämmandeteorin (SDT), och self-efficacy. Inom SDT är inre motivation viktig och dess samspel med den yttre motivationen. För ett välbefinnande behövs enligt SDT autonomi, kompetens och samhörighet. Self-efficacy handlar om individens tro på sin egen förmåga att utföra uppgifter och denna tilltro har betydelse för skapandet av motivation. Sex högstadieelever i lässvårigheter och åtta högstadielärare med olika ämneskombinationer deltog i studien. Analysmetoden som användes var konventionell innehållsanalys och elevernas och lärarnas upplevelser kategoriserades med hjälp av denna. Resultatet visade att de faktorer som lyftes fram i den tidigare forskningen sammanföll med det elever och lärare berättade. Det som var specifikt för eleverna var vikten av lästräning och synlig läsutveckling, arbetsro, framtidsplaner, samt att lärare frågade vad som funkade för eleverna. De åtta lärarna upplevde att det var lätt att uppmärksamma elever i svårigheter. Elever behöver ha tillgång till inläst material, uppleva samhörighet i klassrummet och att lärare bemöter dem med arbetssätt anpassade för deras olika behov. Våra slutsatser är att elever i svårigheter är unika individer och därför måste lärare samtala med var och en för att förstå vad de behöver för att utvecklas så mycket som möjligt. Lärare behöver tänka extra på elever i lässvårigheter redan när de planerar sin undervisning. För ökad läsmotivation behövs en tidig och positiv läsutveckling så elever inte hamnar i lässvårigheter.

Despite the widely documented physical, psychological, and social benefits of regular participation in physical activity (Bauman & Campbell, 2001; Blair, Kohl & Barlow, 1995; Paluska & Schwenk, 2000; U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 1996), less than half of the Australian population participate in 'sufficient' levels of physical activity in terms of time and frequency of participation (Bauman, Ford & Armstrong, 2001). Thus the examination of social psychological determinants of regular participation in leisure-time physical activity is important. A mixed methods approach was adopted to identify and test the important social psychological determinants of regular participation in leisure-time physical activity. Phase one of the study was qualitative in nature and adopted a grounded theory approach. A number of important themes emerged from the qualitative phase, including: definitions and meanings of physical activity; physical activity and choice, obligation, reasons for participation; enjoyment of physical activity; changing perceptions and influences on physical activity from childhood to adulthood; and priority of physical activity. The interrelations between these themes and their impact on regularity of participation were explored. These findings, along with theoretical propositions and evidence from previous studies, contributed to the development of a model of the social psychological determinants of regular participation in leisure-time physical activity. They also contributed to the development of items to measure important concepts in the model. Phase two was quantitative in nature and used structural equation modelling to test the model. The quantitative phase involved a sample of 250 people aged 19-87 years living in an Australian capital city. Self-report questionnaires measured regularity of participation in leisure-time physical activity (dependent variable), leisure-time physical activity behaviour regulation, intrinsic motivation towards leisure-time physical activity, enjoyment of leisure-time physical activity, and priority of leisure-time physical activity (independent and mediating variables). Each of the independent and mediating variables was multidimensional in nature, the components of which were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis in structural equation modelling prior to the testing of structural models. After some adjustment, the predictors were satisfactorily represented by their respective multifactor models, except intrinsic motivation, which was best represented by a single factor model. Following modification, the proposed model of the social psychological determinants of regular participation in leisure-time physical activity was found to be a good fit of the data. Relationships within the model indicated the importance of the priority of leisure-time physical activity factors in the prediction of regular participation in leisure-time physical activity. The influence of preference for leisure-time physical activity on regular participation in leisure-time physical activity was mediated by level of priority and making time for leisure-time physical activity. That is, people who preferred to participate in leisure-time physical activity over other types of leisure tended to make it a higher priority, and, in turn, tended to make time to participate. Making time was subsequently associated with increased regularity of participation in leisure-time physical activity. The enjoyment factors influenced regular participation in leisure-time physical activity through their influence on preference for leisure-time physical activity. Activity enjoyment had a positive influence on preference and enjoyment dependent on surroundings had a negative influence. However, in the overall model, the behaviour regulators and intrinsic motivation attenuated the influence of the enjoyment factors on preference for leisure-time physical activity. This suggested that people's underlying behaviour regulators and levels of intrinsic motivation have a similar influence on their preference for leisure-time physical activity as their feelings of enjoyment. However, behaviour regulators and intrinsic motivation appear to be more powerful influences of preference than enjoyment. Intrinsic motivation towards leisure-time physical activity positively influenced regular participation in leisure-time physical activity through its influence on preference for leisure-time physical activity. It also had a direct influence on regularity of participation. Thus, people who were more intrinsically motivated tended to participate more regularly in leisure-time physical activity partly because they formed preferences for physical activity over other types of leisure. Furthermore, the direct influence of intrinsic motivation on regular participation suggested that there were explanations, beyond that of preference and priority, for why those who were intrinsically motivated tended to participate more regularly in leisure-time physical activity. The behaviour regulators of external regulation (negative), introjected regulation (positive) and identified regulation (positive) influenced regularity of participation in leisure-time physical activity mostly through their influence on intrinsic motivation towards leisure-time physical activity. That is, when people felt their physical activity was externally regulated, they felt less intrinsically motivated to participate and this was subsequently associated with less regular participation. On the other hand, when people were regulated by introjection and identification, they tended to feel more intrinsically motivated and this was subsequently associated with more regular participation. External regulation and introjected regulation also had a direct negative influence on preference for leisure-time physical activity and perceptions of the availability of time, respectively. Thus, people who felt externally regulated tended to have less preference for leisure-time physical activity and those who were regulated through introjection were more likely to perceive that they did not have the time to participate. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by highlighting the importance of preferences and prioritisation on perceptions of time availability, and subsequently, regularity of participation in leisure-time physical activity. It also demonstrated that behaviour regulators and intrinsic motivation are important determinants of regular participation in leisure-time physical activity in a general community sample. These findings have theoretical and practical implications for researchers, leisure professionals, and policy makers. They also suggest a number of significant areas of further research.

Self-regulated learning theory explains how it is not only the amount of time musicians spend practising that affects achievement, but also the nature of the strategies employed. Because practice is self-directed, motivational effects on its efficiency are especially salient. One construct that has received little attention in relation to practising is self-determination theory, which interprets motivation as lying along a continuum of perceived autonomy. This mixed-methods study investigated links between motivational beliefs and self-regulated practising behaviour through a two-phase design. In Phase One, 677 music examination candidates aged 8-19 completed a questionnaire consisting of items addressing practising behaviour and perceived musical competence; in addition, the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ; Ryan & Connell, 1989) was adapted to explore intrinsic-extrinsic motives for learning an instrument. Factor analysis of the SRQ revealed five dimensions with partial correspondence to earlier research: internal, external, social, shame-related, and exam-related motives. Three practice behaviour factors consistent with self-regulated learning theory emerged: effort management, monitoring, and strategy use. Results of structural equation modelling showed that internal motivation accounted best for variance in these three types of practising behaviour, with a small added effect from competence beliefs and exam-related motivation. Phase Two consisted of observational case studies of four of the questionnaire participants preparing for their subsequent annual examination. Adolescent, intermediate-level musicians were recorded while practising at home; immediately afterwards, they watched the videotape and verbalised any recollected thoughts. The procedure concluded with a semi-structured interview and debriefing. The videotapes were analysed with The Observer Video-Pro and combined with verbal data; emerging themes were then compared with issues arising from the interviews. The observational aspect of the case studies largely confirmed the importance of three cyclical self-regulatory processes emerging from Phase One: (a) effort management and motivational self-regulation, (b) the role of self-monitoring of accuracy, and (c) the use of corrective strategies, such as structured repetition, task simplification, and vocalisation. The mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods used in the study has uncovered a rich body of information that begins to clarify the complex motivational and behavioural nature of young people practising a musical instrument.

<p>Ohälsan ökar i västvärlden som en följd av bland annat försämrade kostvanor och alltför lite fysisk aktivitet. För att öka aktivitetsgraden hos den vuxna befolkningen i Sverige erbjuds många via arbets¬givaren möjlighet till friskvård på betald arbetstid. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka olika aspekter av motivation och inställ¬ning till motion hos individer som nyttjar respektive inte utnyttjar friskvårdsförmånen. Data samlades in genom semistruktu¬rerade intervjuer med tio personer vilka sedan analyserades enligt teoristyrd tematisk analys. Deltagarna besvarade även ett standardiserat mät¬instrument (Sport Motivation Scale). Undersökningen utgick från Self-Determination Theory som bygger på tanken att beteenden som styrs av inre motivation har större chans att upprätthållas än de som styrs av yttre motivation. Resultatet visade att de som nyttjar frisk¬vårdstimmen i större utsträckning drivs av inre motivation än de som inte nyttjar denna. För att fler anställda skall utnyttja frisk¬vårdsförmånen bör arbetsgivaren satsa på personlig rådgivning samt skapa en organisa¬tions¬kultur där motion är ett naturligt inslag och där den inre motiva¬tionen uppmuntras.</p>

<p>Att sluta eller inte sluta? En litteraturstudie om tobaksavvänjningsmetoder Bjellman, K. Tobaksbruket har en lång historia, och de tobaksrelaterade sjukdomarna kostar samhället miljarder i sjukvårdskostnader och produktionsbortfall varje år. Andelen rökare minskar stadigt i Sverige, idag röker ca 15 procent av befolkningen. Resultaten från olika metoder för tobaksavvänjning är tämligen blygsamma, och ugefär nittio procent av de som slutar röka gör det på egen hand. Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva och analysera metoder för tobaksavvänjning. Detta gjordes utifrån följande frågeställningar: Hur tar metoderna hänsyn till människors behov av att uppleva självbestämmande, kompetens och tillhörighet? Hur arbetar metoderna med att stärka människors inre motivation? Hur tar metoderna hänsyn till människors hela livssituation? Metoden var en litteraturstudie av vetenskapliga artiklar om olika metoder för tobaksavvänjning, samt olika typer av handlednings- och självhjälpsmaterial för tobaksavvänjare och tobaksanvändare. Slutsatsen är att få metoder tar hänsyn både till människors behov av att uppleva självbestämmande, kompetens och tillhörighet, arbetar för att stärka den inre motivation att sluta röka, samt beaktar hela klientens livssituation. Även de metoder som uppfyller detta ganska väl har problem med många återfall den första tiden efter rökstoppet. Andelen långvarigt rökfria tycks vara ungefär densamma, oavsett vilken metod man använder och hur väl den uppfyller ovanstående. Nyckelord Tobaksavvänjning, Rökavvänjning, Tobacco cessation, Självbestämmandeteorin, Self-determination Theory, Litteraturstudie</p><p>To quit or not to quit? A literature study of tobacco cessation methods Bjellman, K. The tobacco custom has a long history, and the tobacco related diseases cost the society billions in healthcare costs and production losses. The results from different methods for tobacco cessation are rather modest. The aim with this study was to describe and analyze methods for tobacco cessation. This was done on the basis of the following issues: How takes the methods considerations to people's needs of experiencing self determination, competence and property? How works the methods with starching people's internal motivation? How takes the methods considerations to the people's living environment? The method was a literature study off scientific articles about different methods for tobacco cessation, and different types of guidance's - and self-help materials for tobacco workers and tobacco users. The conclusion is that few methods take considerations both to people's needs of experiencing self determination, competence and property, works in order to starch the internal motivation to stop to smoke, and takes into consideration the client's living environment. Also those methods that meet this quite well have problems with many relapses. The proportion prolonged smoke free clients seems to last approximately the same, irrespective of which method one uses and how well it meets the factors above. Key Words Tobacco cessation, Smoking Cessation, Self-determination Theory, Literature study</p>

<p>Syftet med studien var att undersöka vad som motiverar arbetslösa deltagare i AMA Arbetsmarknads verksamhet Jobbcentrum att söka ett arbete. Ett annat syfte var också att undersöka om AMA hjälper dessa deltagare<em> </em>att<em> </em>motiveras och kunna återvända till den ordinarie arbetsmarknaden. Tidigare forskning inom området har ofta fokuserat på samband mellan arbetssökarbeteende och de arbetslösas förväntningar på och värderingar av arbete. Motivation sägs vara påverkad utifrån såväl inre som yttre faktorer. Våra teoretiska utgångspunkter har varit Becks teori om risksamhället samt två motivationsteorier, dels en teori om förväntningar och dels en teori om självbestämmande. Studien är kvalitativ och den metodologiska ansats som använts är hermeneutik. Intervjuer genomfördes med 10 deltagare från Jobbcentrum som valdes ut genom ett ändamålsenligt urval. Resultatet visar att vad som värderas med ett arbete i första hand är den trygghet det ger, inte enbart pga. lönen utan även pga de sociala kontakterna och rutinerna. Att ha en meningsfull sysselsättning var motiverande för att söka arbete. Att vara aktiverad – både fysiskt och psykiskt – visades i studien vara viktigt för motivationen. Deltagarnas förväntningar på vad Jobbcentrum kunde göra för dem var låga, istället betonades det personliga ansvaret för att få ett arbete.</p>