Human Reflexivity and Human Wellbeing: How Our Conscious Decision‐Making Processes Can Influence the Quality of Our Subjective Experiences

ABSTRACT By integrating concepts from the work of Margaret Archer and self‐determination theory, this article extends both of those bodies of work and offers a new sociopsychological explanation of how conscious decision‐making processes can influence the quality of human experiences and human wellbeing. The article argues that Archer's work provides an adequate sociopsychological account of (a) how people make conscious decisions (via reflexivity) and (b) why people choose one option rather than another when making conscious decisions (i.e., because of their personal concerns and ultimate concerns). However, it is necessary to build on Archer's work to explain how conscious decision‐making processes can influence the quality of human experiences and human wellbeing. To that end, self‐determination theory (SDT) enables us to theorise and analyse whether some modes of reflexivity and some kinds of concerns are more conducive to optimal human experiences than others. Importantly, this article argues that the modes of reflexivity that a person uses when making conscious decisions will influence the quality of their subjective experiences and, ultimately, their wellbeing. That is because of the extent to which the person's basic psychological needs are supported or constrained when they (a) use reflexivity to make conscious decisions and (b) pursue associated actions.