Abstract
Self-Determination Theory (SDT) assesses how biological, social, and cultural conditions improve or thwart our innate capacity for psychological growth. According to the SDT, one of three basic psychological needs is the need to be related which means the ability to form social bonds to whom people are valued and feel belonging. This review aims to assess the current literature by focusing on the need for relatedness from the perspective of the Relationships Motivation Theory (RMT). After a brief introduction about the SDT and the RMT, current literature on the RMT is examined through different types of relationships. In general, meeting basic psychological needs in any relationship, the level of autonomous motivation of the person and the amount of autonomy support provided by the environment increases the general well-being of the people in the relationship, while the conflict or obstruction of basic needs negatively affect them. More studies are needed in areas other than romantic relationships, with experimental and longitudinal designs. In addition, testing each type of relationship with different sample groups and increasing studies that examine different types of relationships at the same time might enable a comprehensive evaluation of the RMT.
Keywords
Self-determination theory, relationships motivation theory, need for relatedness, motivation, relationship types