Deci and Ryan (1985, 2001) have proposed that there are three fundamental needs that are required for human growth and fulfillment: relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Susan predicts that students who have these needs met in their psychology class feel happier and more satisfied with the class. She collects data and finds that students who feel more related and competent do feel happier but that feeling more autonomous does not seem to matter. Susan thinks that maybe autonomy is only necessary when people are in situations in which they are not being evaluated.
Susan's hypothesis was not completely supported by her data. What does this mean?
A)Susan must have collected the data incorrectly.
B)Susan must have analyzed the data incorrectly.
C)The theory may need to be amended.
D)The theory is completely wrong.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that one of the three fundamental needs proposed by Deci and Ryan (autonomy) did not result in the predicted outcome suggests that the theory may need to be modified or amended. It does not necessarily mean that Susan collected or analyzed the data incorrectly, nor does it imply that the theory is completely wrong.

Deci and Ryan (1985, 2001) Have Proposed That There Are