What is autonomy-supportive parenting or coaching, and what effect does it have on self-regulation in learners?

• A. Imposes strict rules
• B. Encourages choice, rationale, and acknowledgement; enhances intrinsic motivation and competence
• C. Doubt in learner's ability
• D. Focuses only on outcomes

Answer: (B)

Autonomy-supportive parenting or coaching centers on supporting a learner’s sense of volition. It involves offering meaningful options, explaining the reasons behind tasks, and acknowledging the learner’s perspective and feelings. When learners are given a voice and understand why they are doing something, they internalize the activity’s value and feel competent and autonomous. This boosts intrinsic motivation, which in turn fuels self-regulation: setting goals, choosing strategies, planning, monitoring progress, and adjusting efforts as needed. As a result, learners take more ownership of their learning and regulate their behavior more effectively.

Imposing strict rules undermines autonomy and can undermine intrinsic motivation and self-regulation. Expressing doubt about a learner’s ability weakens self-efficacy and autonomy, hindering self-regulation. Focusing only on outcomes ignores the learning process and the development of self-regulation strategies, making it harder to sustain regulation over time.

So, autonomy-supportive approaches—encouraging choice, providing rationale, and acknowledging the learner—best promote intrinsic motivation and competence, which enhances self-regulation.