Collection

Autonomy – Collection

Sometimes protected as a right, but often contested and distributed as a privilege, autonomy has shaped individual and collective decision-making for millennia. We frequently take our autonomy for granted, assuming that the ability to dictate our futures and control our decisions is a fixed, innate capacity. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that autonomy is something that has to be facilitated and sometimes fought for. The rise of AI, widespread awareness of social inequalities, and manipulative social media tactics are bringing the constraints of our autonomy into the spotlight.

In recent years, conversations around autonomy have made their way into labs, offices, and courtrooms. Technological advancements and adoption challenge the involvement of humans in decision-making as a whole. Simultaneously, intense debates on bodily autonomy and reproductive health are raising central questions about who gets access to autonomy, and when. Where does our autonomy come from, and what are the consequences of being stripped of it? How do we respond to threats to our autonomy and freedoms? When do persuasive techniques become unethical and controlling?

Browse a curated collection of resources that explore the intricacies of autonomy, including the role of motivation and possibility, what happens when our autonomy is threatened or restricted, and tools to protect it in our modern worlds. 

Motivation and Possibility

Empowerment 

The power to decide our own futures is life-changing, but often hard-won. Despite its “buzzword” status, empowerment plays a key role in individual achievement and organizational success, allowing people to take control of their decision-making. 

Self-Determination Theory 

Sometimes, external rewards can only go so far toward reaching our goals. Beyond money, food, or praise, autonomy is key to motivation that comes from within, working in concert with our needs for social connection and self-improvement.

Real and Perceived Restrictions 

Reactance Theory

One of the best ways to get someone to do something is to tell them they can’t. Perceived threats to our personal autonomy—rules, regulations, social pressures, and more—are often answered with strong opposition, driving rebellion that restores control over our actions. 

Illusion of Control 

Among 185 Brazilian finance and technology executives, leaders more often overestimated their individual ability to anticipate and control the future. Rooted in a desire for control and autonomy, the illusion of control underlies everything from harmless superstitions to pathological gambling. 

Why More Choice Means Less Freedom 

We’ve probably all been there, stuck staring at a menu the size of a book or choosing among hundreds of paint colors that are each slightly different. More choices do not always mean more freedom to make those choices; too many options can lead to anxiety, paralysis, and restrictions on our decision-making capacities. 

Between Strategy and Manipulation

Myth-Busting with Cynthia: Is Behavioral Science Manipulative? 

Where do we draw the line between understanding human behavior and controlling it? As people become more wary of companies trying to “hack” their brains, behavioral science aims to restore autonomy by giving people the resources, skills, and insights they need to make the decisions they want. 

Spinning a Web: Trust and Autonomy on Social Media

Social media users are increasingly aware of the tactics platforms use to reel them in and keep them there, fostering emotions of distrust and feeling out of control. Companies can build better relationships with their users by inviting them into the decision-making process, allowing them to hold power over how they engage.

Ad Retargeting and Psychological Reactance

Personalized and targeted advertising is an immensely powerful marketing tool, but companies risk alienating customers who feel like they’re being coerced into purchasing something. Finding ways to preserve and integrate consumer autonomy can help strike the careful balance between persuasion and pestering.

Protecting Personal Autonomy

A Behavioral Toolkit to Enhance Self-Control 

Autonomy is not limited to intentional actions; it also influences how we respond to certain situations. Self-control is a game of thinking smarter, not harder; learning to talk to ourselves in a way that’s balanced and intentional is a skill that can be developed and controlled.

Being your authentic self in a hyperconnected world 

Autonomy is all about taking control of your own actions and decisions, but how do we know what we want, or even who we are? As our identities morph and adapt to life’s many domains, finding a unifying, authentic “self’ is increasingly difficult, requiring intention and awareness.

How to Preserve Agency in an AI-Driven Future 

Our feeling of autonomy depends on whether our actions lead to desired outcomes, creating a sense that we’re in control. As AI continues to distance our decisions from their consequences, prioritizing human agency in the design, implementation, and education surrounding AI can support collaboration over competition.

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