Autonomy recruits neural support for interest and learning

Abstract According to self-determination theory (SDT), an experience of autonomy energizes both interest and learning. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how an experience of autonomy recruits the neural activity needed to energize and support that interest and performance. Using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we exposed 22 undergraduates (11 females, 11 males) to 81 learning trials. We hypothesized that (1) an experience of autonomy would be associated with anterior insular cortex (AIC) activations (reflecting autonomy energization), (2) these AIC activations would recruit both striatum activations (reflecting autonomy satisfaction and hence interest) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activations (reflecting cognitive engagement), (3) striatum activations would predict self-reported interest, and (4) DLPFC activations would predict objectively-scored learning. Multilevel and parametric analyses of the fMRI data supported all predictions. These findings demonstrate the neural substrates through which autonomy energizes interest and learning. We discuss how these neuroscientific findings advance SDT and deepen our understanding of an experience of psychological need satisfaction.