Professor of Psychology and Gowen Professor in the Social Sciences

Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, 1970

 

Contact Information:

Department of Clinical & Social Psychology

University of Rochester

RC Box 270266

Rochester, NY 14627-0266

USA

 

Office: Meliora Hall 429

Telephone: (585) 275-2461

E-mail: edward.deci@rochester.edu

Website: http://psych.rochester.edu/SDT/

 

Research

 

I examine a variety of issues in human motivation, isolating basic processes and testing their application to education, health care, parenting, mental health, and work organizations in the US and across cultures. Using both laboratory and field methods, my work focuses primarily on the nature and development of self-determination. For more detail, please see the Self-Determination Theory website.

 

Recent Publications

 

• Weinstein, N., Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (in press). Motivational determinants of integrating positive and negative past identities. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
• Moller, A.C., Deci, E.L., & Elliot, A.J. (2010). Person-level relatedness and the incremental value of relating. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36, 754-767.
• Roth, G., Assor, A., Niemiec, C.P., Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2009). The emotional and academic consequences of parental conditional regard: Comparing conditional positive regard, conditional negative regard, and autonomy support as parenting practices. Developmental Psychology, 45, 1119-1142.
• Niemiec, C.P., Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2009). The path taken: consequences of attaining intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations in post-college life. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 291-306.
• Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2008). A self-determination theory approach to psychotherapy: The motivational basis for effective change. Canadian Psychology, 49, 186-193.
• Ryan, R.M., Huta, V., & Deci, E.L. (2008). Living well: A self-determination theory perspective on eudaimonia. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 139-170.
• Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (2008). Facilitating optimal motivation and psychological well-being across life's domains. Canadian Psychology, 49, 14-23.
• Deci, E.L., La Guardia, J.G., Moller, A.C., Scheiner, M.J., & Ryan, R.M. (2006).  On the benefits of giving as well as receiving autonomy support:  Mutuality in close friendships.  Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 313-327.
• Moller, A.C., Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (2006). Choice and ego-depletion: The moderating role of autonomy. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 1024-1036.
• Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2006). Self-Regulation and the problem of human autonomy: Does psychology need choice, self-determination, and will? Journal of Personality, 74, 1557-1585.
• Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (2000). The"what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 227-268.

 

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Current and Recent Graduate Students

 

• Cody DeHaan (B.A., University of Rochester, 2010)
• Jackie Anson (M.A. University of Colorado, CO Springs, 2007)
• Andrew Przybylski (M.A. University of Rochester, 2009): Human motivation in video games and virtual environments.
• Christopher Niemiec (Ph.D., University of Rochester, 2010): Self-determination theory, basic processes and applications. Currently Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Rochester.
• Arlen Moller (Ph.D. 2007): Human motivation and emotion, psychological and physical health and eudaimonic well-being. Currently Research Assistant Professor at Northwestern University, School of Medicine.

 

Recent Visiting Fellows

 

• Jian Zhang (Beijing University of Science and Technology, China): Self-determination in work organizations.
• Mia Reinholt (Copenhagen Business School, Denmark)
• Guy Roth (Ben Gurion University, Israel): Parental conditional regard and their children's motivation.
• Hyungshin Jang (University of Inha, Korea): Self-determination in education.
• Maarten Vansteenkiste (University Ghent, Belgium): Intrinsic and extrinsic goals; competition, feedback, and intrinsic motivation.
• Gaetan Losier (University of Moncton, Canada): Motivation, self regulation, and performance.

 

Recent Courses Taught

 

• CSP 552: Human Motivation and Emotion
• CSP 553: Introduction to Social Psychology and Personality
• CSP 589: Training Group in Gestalt Therapy

 

Grants

 

• Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. “Examining the Effectiveness of Scaling Up the First Things First Reform”

 

Recent Honors or Distinctions

 

• Honorary President, Canadian Psychological Association, 2006-2007
• Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor in the Social Sciences, University of Rochester
• James McKeen Cattell Faculty Sabbatical Fellowship
• Distinguished Senior Research Award from the Network for Positive Psychology