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Psychology
Australia
2026

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Best Scientists

D-Index
209
Citations
559092
World Ranking
200
National Ranking
2

Psychology

D-Index
211
Citations
554555
World Ranking
6
National Ranking
1

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Psychology in Australia Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Best Scientists Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Psychology in Australia Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Psychology in Australia Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Psychology in Australia Leader Award
  • 2008 - Fellow of the American Educational Research Association
  • 2002 - Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA)

Overview

Richard M. Ryan is affiliated with the Australian Catholic University in Australia and specializes primarily in psychology, with a focus on social psychology, applied psychology, clinical psychology, experimental and cognitive psychology, and safety research.

The main topics of Richard M. Ryan's research include:

  • Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
  • Behavioral Health and Interventions
  • Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Youth Development and Social Support
  • Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
  • Sport Psychology and Performance

The scientist has published extensively in several venues, with notable frequency in:

  • Frontiers in Psychology
  • Motivation and Emotion
  • Motivation Science
  • Educational Psychology Review
  • Contemporary Educational Psychology

Recent significant papers authored or co-authored by Richard M. Ryan include:

  • Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions (2020, Contemporary Educational Psychology)

Frequent co-authors in research collaborations include:

  • Emma L. Bradshaw
  • Maarten Vansteenkiste
  • Philip D. Parker
  • Frank Martela
  • Stefano I. Di Domenico

Richard M. Ryan has been recognized as a fellow in notable professional organizations such as the American Educational Research Association since 2008 and the American Psychological Association since 2002.

Best Publications

  • Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior

    Edward L. Deci;Richard M. Ryan

  • Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.

    Richard M. Ryan;Edward L. Deci

  • The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior

    Edward L. Deci;Richard M. Ryan

  • Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions.

    Richard M. Ryan;Edward L. Deci

  • Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior

    Karen A. Miller;Edward L. Deci;Richard M. Ryan

  • The Benefits of Being Present: Mindfulness and Its Role in Psychological Well-Being

    Kirk Warren Brown;Richard M. Ryan

  • On Happiness and Human Potentials: A Review of Research on Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being

    Richard M. Ryan;Edward L. Deci

  • Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness

    Richard M. Ryan;Edward L. Deci

  • A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation.

    Edward L. Deci;Richard Koestner;Richard M. Ryan

  • Self-Determination Theory: A Macrotheory of Human Motivation, Development and Health.

    Edward L. Deci;Richard M. Ryan

  • Handbook of Self-Determination Research

    Edward L. Deci;Richard M. Ryan

  • The general causality orientations scale: Self-determination in personality

    Edward L. Deci;Richard M. Ryan

  • Overview of self-determination theory: An organismic-dialectical perspective.

    Richard M. Ryan;Edward L. Deci

  • A motivational approach to self: integration in personality.

    Edward L. Deci;Richard M. Ryan

  • Perceived locus of causality and internalization: Examining reasons for acting in two domains.

    Richard M. Ryan;James P. Connell

  • Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects

    Kirk Warren Brown;Richard M. Ryan;J. David Creswell

  • The support of autonomy and the control of behavior.

    Edward L. Deci;Richard M. Ryan

  • Facilitating Optimal Motivation and Psychological Well- Being Across Life's Domains

    Edward L. Deci;Richard Michael Ryan

  • Further Examining the American Dream: Differential Correlates of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Goals

    Tim Kasser;Richard M. Ryan

  • Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions

    Richard M. Ryan;Edward L. Deci

  • Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation

    Richard M. Ryan;Edward L. Deci

Frequent Co-Authors

Edward L. Deci
Edward L. Deci University of Rochester
Netta Weinstein
Netta Weinstein University of Reading
Kirk Warren Brown
Kirk Warren Brown Carnegie Mellon University
Geoffrey C. Williams
Geoffrey C. Williams University of Rochester
Maarten Vansteenkiste
Maarten Vansteenkiste Ghent University
Kennon M. Sheldon
Kennon M. Sheldon University of Missouri
Tim Kasser
Tim Kasser Knox College
Andrew K. Przybylski
Andrew K. Przybylski University of Oxford
Nikos Ntoumanis
Nikos Ntoumanis University of Southern Denmark
Wendy S. Grolnick
Wendy S. Grolnick Clark University

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