SDT
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Self-determination theory |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
SDT has two meanings. It stands for Self-determination theory (psychology) or Signal detection theory (psychology).
Meanings of SDT at a glance
| # | SDT stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Self-determination theory | Science & Engineering › Psychology |
| 2 | Signal detection theory | Science & Engineering › Psychology |
1. Self-determination theory
Science & Engineering · Psychology Abbreviations
Theory of human motivation holding that people thrive when three basic psychological needs are met: autonomy, competence and relatedness. SDT distinguishes intrinsic motivation, doing something for its own sake, from extrinsic motivation driven by rewards or pressure.
Example: Applying SDT, the school replaced points and prizes with student choice and constructive feedback.
Edward Deci and Richard Ryan developed the theory from the 1970s onward, summarizing it in a 1985 book. Deci's early experiments showed that paying people for an enjoyable puzzle could reduce their later interest, the overjustification effect. SDT is applied in education, health behavior, sports and workplace management; context distinguishes it from signal detection theory.
2. Signal detection theory
Science & Engineering · Psychology Abbreviations
Framework for analyzing decisions under uncertainty that separates a person's ability to distinguish a signal from noise (sensitivity, d-prime) from their tendency to say "yes" or "no" (response bias). It is used in perception, memory, medical diagnosis and eyewitness research.
Example: SDT analysis showed the radiologists differed in bias, not in their ability to detect tumors.
Developed from radar research and applied to human perception by Wilson Tanner and John Swets in 1954. Outcomes are classified as hits, misses, false alarms and correct rejections. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, now common in machine learning, came from this tradition.
Related abbreviations
More psychology abbreviations
- PAI – Personality Assessment Inventory
- PERMA – Positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment
- PHQ-9 – Patient Health Questionnaire-9
- PSI – Processing Speed Index
- RT – Reaction time
- SB5 – Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition
- SEM – Structural equation modeling
- SES – Socioeconomic status
- STAI – State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
- STM – Short-term memory
- SWB – Subjective well-being
- TAT – Thematic Apperception Test