Autonomy shows a strong content signal: 53 of 64 outcomes satisfy the a priori autonomy rule, with exceptions for self-efficacy (competence) and collegial support (relatedness)¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Across all 64 correlates, 53 satisfied the a priori rule that autonomy satisfaction is stronger for resources/positive outcomes and autonomy frustration stronger for demands/negative outcomes. → Marsh 2025 q3 i? Sensible exceptions exist: self-efficacy aligned more strongly with competence and support from colleagues/community with relatedness, so the autonomy conclusion varies with the correlate set. → Marsh 2025

Evidence¶

Marsh 2025¶

Marsh, H. W., Ryan, R. M., Dicke, T., Pekrun, R., Guo, J., Bradshaw, E. L., Reeve, J., Lüdtke, O., Clarke, T., & Waterschoot, J. (2025). Basic Psychological Needs Under Constrained Autonomy: A Substantive–Methodological Reflection and Analysis of School Leaders' Needs from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10079-3

q3 · i? · associational · r2

Orthogonal-contrast GLM (C2: autonomy vs competence + relatedness) over the 64-variable nomological network from 1,950 Australian school leaders. The article reports "53 satisfy the a priori rule" and domain means of r = .07 to r = −.11.

"Across all 64 outcomes, 53 satisfy the a priori rule, so autonomy has a strong content signal in this taxonomy. The mean values for C2 at the bottom of Table 4 mirror this pattern: resources (r = .07) and positive outcomes (r = .09) favor autonomy satisfaction, whereas demands (r = −.11) and negative outcomes (r = −.03) favor autonomy frustration."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Competence and relatedness show distinct content pathways: competence with capability indicators (self-efficacy, progress, resilience) and relatedness with interpersonal-climate indicators (collegial support, trust, social capital) — related
• Competence is the strongest independent psychological predictor of AI literacy performance, followed by autonomy; relatedness has no significant independent effect — related
• Three-facet MTMM (content × valence × time) supports the SDT 3×2 architecture, with content the stronger separative force and 20 of 21 planned comparisons supported — related
• In agentic AI-supported online learning, perceived autonomy, competence, and relatedness are each positively associated with learning motivation — related
• The BPNSFS 3×2 six-facet structure (three needs × satisfaction/frustration) fits Australian school-leader data excellently and better than models collapsing valence — related
• Bivariate SDT-based predictions about BPNSFS correlates were largely upheld: valence predictions correct for 95.2% and content predictions for 91.4% of scored cases — a broader claim this one bears on
• In EERs, autonomy, competence, and relatedness are each supported by specific design features per self-determination theory — related