People have basic psychological needs that are important to experiencing well-being.  So, what are these needs all about?

• RELATEDNESS:  Need to feel significant, cared for by others, and that others like you for who you are
  
• AUTONOMY:       Need to feel like your perspective and feelings matter to others and you have a say in what you do
  
• COMPETENCE:   Need to be doing things that interest and challenge you, make you feel accomplished, and help you to feel like you are contributing
  

 
What happens when these psychological needs aren’t met?

Need not fulfilled	How might you experience this need not being fulfilled?
RELATEDNESS	No time with close others who are important to you In conflict with important others (e.g., friends, family, partner) Have lost or are losing an important relationship Don’t have relationships that you want (e.g., romantic partner, close friends)
AUTONOMY	Don’t feel like others care about your perspective/feelings Feel like you have little choice in what you are doing or how you go about doing things Feel controlled/pressured to do things in a particular way (or else there will be consequences)
COMPETENCE	Not able to feel effective at what you are doing (because of no time, lack of skill, overchallenging situation) Not doing things that are interesting and/or challenging to you Others take over for you or treat you as if you are incompetent, even when you are quite capable