Autonomy

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Autonomy

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Autonomy

We thrive when we are empowered to make are own choices.

What is it:

Imagine having the freedom to choose your path in every aspect of life. That's autonomy. It means making decisions that reflect what's important to you, guiding your own actions, and living by your values. This freedom isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for feeling motivated, achieving goals, and building strong relationships.

How it influences us:

Feeling in charge of your choices makes a big difference. It keeps you motivated, helps you value feedback, and deepens your connections with others. When what you do matches what you believe in, you're more involved and likely to stick with it. This sense of control also means you own your actions and learn from them, making you feel more genuine and sure of yourself. In short, being able to make your own choices makes you more driven, connected, and true to who you are.

Let’s break it down:

Autonomy drives behaviour through:

1. Intrinsic motivation: Autonomy can be a source of intrinsic motivation. When people feel that they have control over their actions and decisions, they are more likely to be motivated to pursue their goals and engage in behaviours that align with their values.

2. Satisfaction and well-being: Having self-sovereignty is also associated with greater satisfaction and well-being. When people feel that they have control over their lives, they are more likely to experience fulfilment and contentment with their choices and actions.

3. Engagement and commitment: Autonomy can also lead to greater engagement and commitment. When people feel in control of their decisions and actions, they tend to be more invested in their goals and committed to their behaviours.

4. Accountability: Independence can also promote accountability. When people feel that they have control over their actions, they are more likely to hold themselves accountable for their behaviour and take responsibility for their decisions.

What’s the science behind it?

• Self-Determination Theory

  According to this theory, people have three psychological needs for optimal motivation and well-being: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy refers to the feeling of being in control of one's own actions and behaviours, which leads to more motivation and engagement. For example, workplaces that give employees more decision-making power tend to have more productive and motivated workers.

• Cognitive Evaluation Theory

  This concept suggests that the way rewards are presented can either support or undermine autonomy. When individuals feel autonomous and in control of their behaviours, they're more likely to continue engaging in them. However, extrinsic rewards like money or praise can undermine autonomy if they are perceived as controlling or coercive. For instance, paying someone to exercise can decrease their intrinsic motivation to exercise in the long term if they feel like they're being controlled by external factors instead of their own interests.

• Control Theory

  This theory proposes that people want to maintain control over their environment, which can affect their behaviour. When individuals feel like they have control over their actions, they're more motivated and engaged in pursuing their goals. For example, people are more likely to adhere to self-set fitness goals than goals imposed on them by others, as they feel a sense of control over their behaviour.

How to spot it:

Autonomy can be hard to pin down, especially as people find it hard to self identify when they feel autonomy. Use the below TIPs to help:

• Do people step up and take charge of their tasks?

  Notice if others take initiative and show enthusiasm in their tasks. This self-drive is a clear indicator of autonomy at play.

• Do people's actions align with their core values?

  Explore whether people are making choices that resonate deeply with their beliefs. This alignment is a sign of autonomy in action

• Do people resist changes imposed without their input?

  When individuals push back on decisions made without their involvement, it often reflects a natural response to protect their sense of autonomy.

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Lauren Alys Kelly

Lauren Alys Kelly is the founder of Alterkind, overseeing the behavioural design, tool development, training and research. They publish tools like BehaviourKit.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenalyskelly/