Basic Psychological Need Fulfillment Through Adventure Education

This literature review explores adventure education programming through the lens of basic human need fulfillment. The psychological needs theory of Self-­‐ Determination Theory (SDT) identifies fulfillment of the need for competence, relatedness, and autonomy as necessary conditions for well-­‐being and mental health in one's life. Literature involving adventure education is assessed for evidence of SDT need fulfillment in the course setting. Findings indicate that there is potential for SDT need fulfillment on adventure education courses. Recommendations for increasing SDT need fulfillment are outlined for each need, along with recommendations for instructors, course structures and transference. This literature review has implications that are relevant to course instructors, both adventure and experiential education organizations, and the broader role of educational institutions as a whole.