Is relatedness enough? On the importance of need support in different types of social experiences

Self-determination theory recognizes the central importance of interpersonal relationships in the human experience and is deeply interested in how social dynamics can affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Humans are social beings, and therefore it is important to consider whether the sense of relatedness that can be derived from interpersonal experiences is enough to facilitate personal wellness and healthy social functioning. According to self-determination theory, all individuals require satisfaction of three basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. This chapter reviews recent research on the importance of need support—and especially support for autonomy—in different types of social experiences, namely, in non-reciprocal relationships, in reciprocal relationships, and in brief interactions. As well, discussion focuses on several strategies that can be used to provide support for basic psychological needs and examines reasons why socializers and other relational partners may, at times, be controlling