From Heteronomy to Autonomy: A Study on the Mechanism of Student Affairs Counselors Driving the Internalization of Student Learning Motivation in Academic Atmosphere Construction

Abstract

At present, there is a basic, deep-seated problem in academic atmosphere construction of universities. Most universities have plenty of clear rules and policies in place, but students still do not have real inner desire to learn. The deep reason is that the psychological path of outside rules to internal motivation is blocked. Regulations on the Construction of College Student Affairs Counselor Teams (Ministry of Education Order No. 43) clearly state student affairs counselors play a very important part, and points out what student affairs counselors should mainly do in the construction of academic atmosphere. This article takes Self-Determination Theory as its main analysis tool. It builds a step-by-step action system of rule recognition, competence confidence, and value internalization. According to the study, student affairs counselors meet students' need for relatedness by explaining rules clearly. It helps students move from following outside rules to accepting rules themselves, and promotes the transformation of external regulation into introjected regulation; meet students' need for competence by giving students clear guidance. It helps students move from just accepting rules to truly valuing them, and promotes the transformation of introjected regulation to identified regulation; meet students' need for autonomy by setting realistic role models. It helps students turn valued rules into a natural part of who they are, and promotes the transformation of identified regulation to integrated regulation. This mechanism provides theoretical support and an operable path for changing how we manage academic atmosphere. This change moves our focus from punishing after problems happen to supporting students along the way. It also expands the research perspective for the professional development of the student affairs counselor team.