Deci: 2006, ‘Self-Regulation and the Problem of Human Autonomy

ABSTRACT The term autonomy literally refers to regulation by the self. Its opposite, heteronomy, refers to controlled regulation, or regula-tion that occurs without self-endorsement. At a time when philosophers and economists are increasingly detailing the nature of autonomy and recognizing its social and practical significance, many psychologists are questioning the reality and import of autonomy and closely related phe-nomena such as will, choice, and freedom. Using the framework of self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), we review research concerning the benefits of autonomous versus controlled regulation for goal perfor-mance, persistence, affective experience, quality of relationships, and well-being across domains and cultures. We also address some of the controversies and terminological issues surrounding the construct of au-tonomy, including critiques of autonomy by biological reductionists, cul-tural relativists, and behaviorists. We conclude that there is a universal and cross-developmental value to autonomous regulation when the con-struct is understood in an exacting way. The concept of autonomy has become increasingly accepted, refined, and applied within the discipline of philosophy (Friedman, 2003). Indeed, Taylor (2005) argued that the nature and value of autonomy are now common topics within philosophy and that these discussions of autonomy are ‘‘underpinned by an increasingly flourishing an