Sport Psychology: New Publication in the Handbook of Personality Development

Sheldon, K. M. & Schüler, J. (2019). Needs, Motives, and Personality Development: Unanswered Questions and Exciting Potentials. In Dan P. McAdams, Rebecca L. Shiner, & Jennifer L. Tackett (Eds.). Handbook of Personality Development (276-294). New York: Guilford Press.

This handbook chapter is the product of a collaboration between Kennon M. Sheldon (University of Missouri University, MO, USA) and Julia Schüler. In this chapter two major theories of basic psychological needs - self-determination theory (SDT, Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000) and motive disposition theory (MDT, McClelland, 1985) were applied in an attempt to understand the nature of healthy personality development and to draw conclusions for health promotion. The focus lies on theoretical questions, developmental speculations, and thought experiments. This chapter additionally is a good example how members of the Chair of Sport Psychology take an integrative perspective (across disciplines) on phenomena of motivation and volition.