Relations between student teachers’ basic needs fulfillment and their teaching behavior

Abstract

This study examines the relation between fulfillment of the three basic psychological needs in 36 student teachers and their teaching behavior, based on Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2002) and the Model for Interpersonal Teacher Behavior (Wubbels, Den Brok, Van Tartwijk, & Levy, 2012). Data were collected through self-reports and students’ scores of student teacher behavior. Strong correlations were found between fulfillment of the basic psychological needs and teaching behavior. The significance of the findings is that quantitative relations were established between the ‘inner’ side of teaching (student teachers’ personal experiences) and the ‘outer’ side of observable teaching behavior.