Ace the Nutrition Education Exam 2026 – Fuel Your Future with Knowledge!

Self-Determination Theory frames three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Relatedness is the need to feel connected with others, to belong, and to have supportive social ties. So when the question asks which construct relates to feeling connected with others, relatedness is the best fit because it specifically captures that sense of belonging and social connection. Autonomy is about choosing and endorsing one's own actions, and competence is about feeling effective and capable in activities. Motivation refers to the drive to act (and can be intrinsic or extrinsic) but is not one of the basic needs themselves.