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Self-determination theory in HCI: advancing the field

Nick Ballou et al.

Interacting with Computers2026https://doi.org/10.1093/iwc/iwag019article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Self-determination theory (SDT) has been widely successful in human–computer interaction (HCI). It offers ready concepts, measures, and theoretical propositions for third wave HCI topics such as user experience, fun, wellbeing, motivation, or user autonomy. Still, HCI applications of SDT have been partial, at times superficial, and disconnecting—leaving great unfulfilled potential which motivated the present special issue. In this introduction, we present SDT to interested scholars, chart its use across HCI to date, and outline six advances to move HCI toward more intentional applications of SDT. As the articles from this issue illustrate, future growth areas of SDT in HCI are in extending domain-specific models and applications, harnessing underused parts of theory, computational formalization, extending levels of analysis, facilitating design translation, and engaging in a cross-disciplinary dialogue on autonomy.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/iwc/iwag019

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@article{nick2026,
  title        = {{Self-determination theory in HCI: advancing the field}},
  author       = {Nick Ballou et al.},
  journal      = {Interacting with Computers},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/iwc/iwag019},
}

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Self-determination theory in HCI: advancing the field

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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