What are the three basic needs in Self-Determination Theory, and how can a coach support them?

What are the three basic needs in Self-Determination Theory, and how can a coach support them?

• A. Autonomy, competence, relatedness; support autonomy with choice, build competence with small steps, foster relatedness through supportive relationships.
• B. Safety, security, belonging; enforce rules, monitor behavior, punish noncompliance.
• C. Power, status, independence; promote dominance, isolate client, minimize support.
• D. Knowledge, skills, ambition; provide lectures, assign heavy tasks, critique constantly.

Answer: (A)

The central idea here is that motivation is powered by three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. A coach can support these needs to boost intrinsic motivation and sustainable change. Autonomy is about feeling in control of your actions. In coaching, this means offering real choices and inviting the client to decide the path and methods that fit their values and life. Provide options, explain the rationale for recommendations, and use noncontrolling language so the client feels voluntary and self-directed rather than pushed. Competence involves feeling effective and capable. Support this by setting clear, achievable goals and breaking tasks into manageable steps. Give specific, constructive feedback, celebrate progress, and adjust challenges to match the client’s current skill level so they experience steady growth rather than overwhelm. Relatedness is the sense of connection and care. Build it through a warm, collaborative relationship: show empathy, trust, and genuine interest in the client’s well-being, and create a coaching environment where they feel supported and understood. When these needs are met, clients are more likely to engage deeply, persist through difficulties, and adopt lasting changes. The other options describe approaches that emphasize control, dominance, or external factors rather than supporting autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

The central idea here is that motivation is powered by three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. A coach can support these needs to boost intrinsic motivation and sustainable change.

Autonomy is about feeling in control of your actions. In coaching, this means offering real choices and inviting the client to decide the path and methods that fit their values and life. Provide options, explain the rationale for recommendations, and use noncontrolling language so the client feels voluntary and self-directed rather than pushed.

Competence involves feeling effective and capable. Support this by setting clear, achievable goals and breaking tasks into manageable steps. Give specific, constructive feedback, celebrate progress, and adjust challenges to match the client’s current skill level so they experience steady growth rather than overwhelm.

Relatedness is the sense of connection and care. Build it through a warm, collaborative relationship: show empathy, trust, and genuine interest in the client’s well-being, and create a coaching environment where they feel supported and understood.

When these needs are met, clients are more likely to engage deeply, persist through difficulties, and adopt lasting changes. The other options describe approaches that emphasize control, dominance, or external factors rather than supporting autonomy, competence, and relatedness.