Abstract:
Students from the University of the Philippines are the usual participants of social
movements. Amidst the fact that student activists in the Philippines are facing a decline in
number, there are still those who are very dedicated .in their participation in social movements.
The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that motivate the students to participate in
social movements and whether these are self-determined by looking into the satisfaction of their
basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) and their behavior regulations (external,
introjected, identified, integrated).
The study employed a quantitative approach in understanding the phenomenon. Two
scales were used to measure the variables to be studied, namely: The Basic Needs Satisfaction,
and The Self-Regulation Scale, that were also used in different studies on work and ]earning
motivation, and exercise. Forty (40) respondents participated in the study, half of which are
male, and the remaining half, female, by answering the self-administered questionnaire. Scale
results were analyzed using SPSS, following the established scoring procedures of the scales.
It has been found out that the motivations of students who participate in social
movements are self-determined. This result confirmed the assumptions of the theory that
individuals are :motivated specifically because the behavior that they engage in fulfils their need
of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The fulfilment of these needs is also supported by the
different behavior regulations that the students use in perceiving their membership and
participation in social movements. The findings give significance to the development of the
psychological well-being of the students who participate in social movements. This study attempted to use Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory of motivation
as it was applied in different research domains such as education, work, and exercise.
Confirmation of the theory's assumptions in this study adds to its applicability to other areas of
studies as well.
