This volume examines the developmental aspects of the general psychological construct of self-determination. The term refers to self- (vs. other-) caused action—to people acting volitionally—as based on their own will. Research conducted in the fields of psychology and education shows the importance of self-determination to adolescent development and positive adult outcomes. The first part of this volume presents an overview of theories and historical antecedents of the construct. It looks at the role of self-determination in major theories of human agentic behavior and of adolescent development and individuation. The second part of the volume examines the developmental origins and the trajectory of self-determination in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and looks as aging aspects. The next part presents studies on the evolutionary aspects, individual differences and healthy psychological development. The last part of the book covers the development of causal and agentic capability.
Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ph.D. is the Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education and Associate Chairperson, Department of Special Education; and Director and Senior Scientist, Beach Center on Disability and co-Director, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities within the Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, all at the University of Kansas. His research focuses on self-determination, strengths-based approaches to disability, and the application of positive psychology to the disability context. Dr. Wehmeyer has published more than 370 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, is an author or editor for 36 books on topics related to self-determination, positive psychology and disability, and the education of learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and is a co-author of Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Support, the 11thEdition of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities' definition of intellectual disability as well as the Supports Intensity Scale-Children's and Adult Version.
Karrie A. Shogren, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Special Education, co-Director of the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Associate Director of the Beach Center on Disability all at the University of Kansas. Dr. Shogren's research focuses on self-determination and systems of support for people with disabilities as well as applications of positive psychology and strengths-based approaches to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Shogren has published over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals, is the author or co-author of 10 books, and is one of the co-authors of Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Support, the 11th Edition of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities' seminal definition of intellectual disability (formerly mental retardation) as well as the Supports Intensity Scale-Children's and Adult Version.
Todd D. Little, PhD is a Professor and director of the Institute for Measurement, Methodology, Analysis and Policy at Texas Tech University. Little is widely recognized for his quantitative work on various aspects of applied SEM (e.g., modern missing data treatments, indicator selection, parceling, modeling developmental processes) as well as his substantive developmental research (e.g., action-control processes and motivation, coping, and self-regulation). In 2001, Little was elected to membership in the Society for Multivariate Experimental Psychology, and in 2009, he was elected President of APA's Division 5 (Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics). He founded the internationally renowned 'Stats Camps' (see statscamp.org). He is a fellow in APA, APS, and AAAS. In 2013, he received the Cohen award from Division 5 of APA for distinguished contributions to teaching and mentoring and in 2015 he received the inaugural distinguished contributions award for mentoring developmental scientists from the Society for Research in Child Development.
Shane J. Lopez, Ph.D. was Gallup Senior Scientist in Residence and Research Director for the Clifton Strengths Institute. As chief architect of the Gallup Student Poll, he measured hope in over a million people. His research focused on hope, engagement, and wellbeing, particularly on links between strengths development, academic success and overall wellbeing, and he directed the annual Gallup Wellbeing Forum. Dr. Lopez is the editor of The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology and Positive Psychological Assessment: A Handbook of Models and Measures, as well as more than 100 articles and chapters. He is the author of the well-regarded book, Making Hope Happen: Create the Future You Want for Yourself and Others. Dr. Lopez is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
