Self-Determination Theory and the Maintenance of Behavior Change

About Richard Ryan, PhD: Richard M. Ryan, PhD is a Professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at the Australian Catholic University, North Sydney and Professor Emeritus at the University of Rochester. He is a clinical psychologist and co-developer of Self-Determination Theory, an internationally recognized leading theory of human motivation, and a co-founder of Immersyve Inc., an organizational research and consulting firm. He lectures frequently in the United States and aboard on the factors that promote motivation and healthy psychological and behavioral functioning (applied to such areas as work and organizations, education, health, sport and exercise, video games and virtual environments). Ryan is among the most cited researchers in psychology and social sciences today and the author of over 450 papers and books in the areas of human motivation and well-being, including his best-selling book, Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development and wellness (Ryan & Deci, 2017). Reflective of Ryan's influence internationally and across disciplines, he has been recognized as one of the eminent psychologists of the modern era1,2 and listed among the Top 20 most influential industrial-organizational psychologists3. He has also been honored with three lifetime achievement awards for his work on motivation, personal meaning, and self and identity, and has received an honorary degree from the University of Thessaly and an honorary membership to the German Psychological Society. About the Sustaining Behavior Change Conference: The Sustaining Behavior Change Conference grows from the belief that limitations in our ability to help people make lasting changes in their health-related behaviors is one of the greatest challenges to the well-being of our population. Whether it is adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits, or curtailing the use of unhealthy substances or behaviors, people seem able to initiate behavior change, but a range of forces typically lead to a return of previous behaviors. The Sustaining Behavior Change Conference assembles a group of leading scholars in a range of disciplines, including behavioral sciences, behavioral economics, marketing and neuroscience to share their insights and perspectives on this important issue. Our goal is to spur creative new thinking about how we might study and implement strategies that will foster effective long-term behavior change. The Sustaining Behavior Change Conference is brought to you by the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Colorado NORC, and UAB NORC. Anschutz Health and Wellness Center: https://anschutzwellness.com/ Colorado NORC: http://cunorc.org/ UAB NORC: https://www.uab.edu/norc/