When looking into Self Determination Theory, we see two sub-theories that underline whether someone is intrinsically or extrinsically motivated. One is Cognitive Evaluation Theory and the other is Organismic Integration Theory (OIT). In this post I will focus on the latter, OIT. When looking at why someone has a specific motivation, whether that be intrinsic or extrinsic, Deci and Ryan (2000) state that to find one's motivation or behavior, we must look at a continuum with amotivation (non-self determined) at one end and intrinsic motivation (self-determined) at the other. In between the amotivation and intrinsic motivation, there are four categories falling along the continuum; external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, and integrated regulation. The first mode of motivation, external regulation, is when the person ultimately has no say in whether they want to participate in an activity. Introjected regulation is when a person only chooses to participate in an activity because of outsiders. Next is identified regulation, which is when a person identifies with an activities' implication and carries out the behavior or activity because they see it as beneficial. Finally, integrated regulation is when someone fully identifies with an activity or behavior because it is inline with their personal value system.
June, our main character from The Handmaid's Tale, appears to exhibit external regulation when she is first introduced into the newly (forced) society of Gilead. Whenever June is spoken to by anyone, she must reply with 'proper' phrases, such as "under his eye," "blessed be the fruit," "may the lord open," "praise be," as well as other religious phrases. June constantly expresses her distaste and lack of conviction with these phrases, she is forced to say, from her internal dialogue she shares with us. During the ritualistic ceremonies that are held in the house of every handmaid, is the dreaded raping of the handmaid by the man of the house. June, though she has no other choice, has to act like she 'wants' the ceremony in order to create a baby, though she despises it more than anything. Though it is debatable, I would say this is a mix between external and introjected regulation, because June ultimately has no choice in whether or not to participate in the ceremony, though she has to appear to choose to participate in the ceremony.
I've seen the series... your description really pulled me back into those initial episodes that really focus on June's full extrinsic motivation. She might show introjected motivation later in the series when she develops some empathy for the wife and does some nice things for her, but I guess this would be more identified (she sees the value in being nice?). I wonder if you can find any examples of her having identified or intrinsic motivation in the beginning of the series. It's been a while since I watched it!
ReplyDeleteI realize that I had not seen Season 3 of The Handmaid, so I'm in the middle of that now. In this post, I think you did a really nice job with describing the theory. And you provide a really good example of a person having two "regulations" or reasons for a specific behavior. Yes, June is extrinsically motivated, but I can she how she could also have some introjected motivations. She certainly demonstrates introjected motivations later in the series.
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