![🎓 We teach about the *𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡* basic needs, like sleep and nutrition, but we also need to teach students (and leaders such as teachers or parents):
What are the *𝙥𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡* basic needs (PBNs), and how are they fulfilled or damaged? [Ryan & Deci 2017]
For example, the PBN of Autonomy:
"Imagine you could choose the school subjects you truly enjoy, find interesting, or consider important…
… and when you share this at home, your parents are happy for you - instead of worried."
PBNs, such as Autonomy in this example, can be:
1. Fulfilled: “I feel freedom in how and in what I develop.”
2. Unfilfilled: “I feel little freedom in how and in what I develop.”
3. Damaged : “My environment actively limits my freedom, and I feel pressured to meet others' expectations.”
“Damaged” is not the opposite of fulfillment but a completely different, “actively opposing” dimension.
It's a strong predictor of burnout.* [Reyes 2023]
See examples for the other two PBNs, Connection and Competence, in the image.
With more insight into the 3 PBNs, students better understand why they sometimes feel exhausted, cynical, and ineffective.
And which interactions, with teachers/parents/peers, cause these feelings.
Additionally, a focus on material goals is the strongest predictor of damaged PBNs: [Reyes 2023]
Such as performance or image goals, like high grades for subjects that do not align with the student’s authentic values and development wishes.
And who imposes these goals?
YOU have an identity, preferences, and PBNs – so do students.
Prioritizing this in education means prioritizing their well-being and laying a societal foundation for dignity, which can solve so many problems.
So what were your favorite subjects in school and why?
* "Burnout" strongly correlates with symptoms of “work-related depression”: construct-wise, it cannot be distinguished. [Bianchi 2023, Verhaege 2012]](https://stijnvanwilligen.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
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