Bio

Dr. Emma Bradshaw is Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney. She is a Self-Determination Theory (SDT) researcher, specialising in personal goals, autonomy, and meta-analysis, and uses a variety of cutting-edge statistical methods including genetic algorithms, network representation, network analysis, and multi-level meta-analytic structural equation modelling. She completed her PhD in 2019. Her doctoral thesis examined how patterns of intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations (derived using latent profile analysis) relate to various indices of optimal functioning. Since then, much of her work has focussed on the complexities of people's aspirations and their impact on optimal functioning. Currently, Dr. Bradshaw is expanding her research program, diving more deeply into various aspects of SDT including experiences of late-life, autonomy, and human rights.

Abstract

The Psychodynamics of Goal Pursuit from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective

The scope and complexity of human ambition are arguably unique in the natural world. There is no doubt that many species demonstrate complex behaviors and social structures, but human striving extends into domains like personal growth and innovation, wealth and creative expression, and the pursuit of meaning. These strivings often extend beyond survival demands, reflecting our well-developed capacities in the areas of abstract thinking, long-term planning, and self-reflection, and are fundamentally tied to our ability to thrive. To an extent, our aspirations reflect who we are, impact how we are, and shape what we become. This keynote address will review recent research on the psychodynamics of these innate striving processes from the perspective of self-determination theory and speak to how what we strive for and why we strive for it influences our wellness. I will discuss the role of social and environmental factors in shaping our goals, the importance of aligning goals with one's autonomous motivations, and the potential benefits of reassessing or even relinquishing some goals. Improving our understanding of the psychodynamics of goal pursuit stands to inform how deeply our ambitions define and direct our lives. 

Keywords: self-determination theory, intrinsic aspirations, extrinsic aspirations, motivational processes, goal pursuit