page_title: Happiness
section_title: Self-determination theory
hierarchical_section_title: Happiness / Psychology / Theories / Self-determination theory
caption_attribution_description: Explore #136
context_page_description: The term happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states, including positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. It is also used in the context of life satisfaction, subjective well-being, eudaimonia, flourishing and well-being.
  Since the 1960s, happiness research has been conducted in a wide variety of scientific disciplines, including gerontology, social psychology and positive psychology, clinical and medical research and happiness economics.
context_section_description: Self-determination theory relates intrinsic motivation to three needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness.
caption: Smiling woman from Vietnam
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