Autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the primary drivers of human motivation
Evidence from educational psychology and Self-Determination Theory consistently supports the view that autonomy, mastery (often framed as competence), and purpose are foundational drivers of intrinsic human motivation and engagement.
The retrieved papers align strongly with Self-Determination Theory and related motivational frameworks, confirming that autonomy, competence/mastery, and purpose/relatedness are core drivers of intrinsic motivation and positive performance outcomes across educational and developmental contexts.
Sarah Gillard, Sharlett Gillard, David Pratt. A Pedagological Study Of Intrinsic Motivation In The Classroom Through Autonomy, Mastery, And Purpose. 2015. https://doi.org/10.19030/cier.v8i1.9045
Paper 0 directly investigates intrinsic motivation in the classroom through the specific framework of autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
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Gao X, Chen M, Li Y. A study on the impact of need satisfaction on perceived academic performance among arts major undergraduate students in China-focusing on the mediating effect of achievement goals orientations and the moderating effect of perceived social support.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1692993
Paper 1 applies Self-Determination Theory to show that basic psychological needs such as autonomy and competence significantly impact academic motivation and performance.
Zhang X, Zhang Q, Deng W. Effect of sports education on students' classroom motivational climate in physical education: a qualitative investigation.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1750258
Paper 5 demonstrates that instructional models fostering autonomy and mastery effectively address students' core psychological needs to enhance engagement and motivation.
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