Final answer:
Self-Determination Theory identifies three essential psychological needs for autonomous motivation: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), there are three basic psychological needs that must be satisfied for motivation to be autonomous: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy refers to the need for personal control or self-management over one's own actions. Competence involves the need to master tasks and learn different skills. Lastly, relatedness is about the need to feel a sense of belonging and connection with others. Together, these needs foster self-motivation and personal growth, influential in a variety of life domains from education to work.