Understanding Birdwatching Motivation Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory

Motivational variables are becoming one important focus of research into birdwatching. However, previous research mostly lacks examining externally determined motivation, although this research suggests that such qualities of motivation exist. To address this research gap, we first developed an instrument to investigate different self-determined and externally determined motivational regulations regarding birdwatching. To explore these regulations further, we investigated how different degrees of perceived autonomy predict these regulations and how they are related to different birding behaviors. The questionnaire data of 562 birdwatchers ( M age =49.17 ± 17.07 years) were included. We found four fac - tors to assess birdwatchers’ motivational regulation: intrinsic, identified, introjected, and external. Autonomy need frustration strongly predicted externally determined regulations, while self-determined regulations were more likely to be predicted by autonomy need satisfaction. The types of motivational regulation were also accompanied by different behaviors. Our research widens the perspective on and enables the assessment of motivational regulation regarding birdwatching.