Star Trek Explores Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

The episode "I Borg" shows how SDT's basic essential needs enable well-being.

Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer

Key points

• Self-determination theory posits that well-being depends on the fulfillment of basic essential needs.
• Basic essential needs consist of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
• "The Next Generation" episode" "I Borg" illustrates basic principles of self determination theory.

Self-determination theory (SDT), originated by Richard M. Ryan and Edward L. Deci, posits three basic psychological needs essential to well-being: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy concerns our need to feel that we can control our experiences and actions (within possible parameters), and, that our behavior is in accord with our authentic interests and values. Competence refers to our need to feel effective and capable, that we’re proficient at what we do and that our actions contribute in ways we deem positive. Relatedness means feeling connected to others, having relationships in which one cares for and feels cared for by others, whether they be individuals, groups, or communities.

Although SDT shares common ground with other approaches, it contributes two crucial innovations. First, it foregrounds basic essential needs as axiomatic, a foundation for anything else we might say about human psychology. Second, it demonstrates, with abundant documentation, that basic essential needs are relevant cross-culturally, in both individualistic and collectivist cultures.

Basic essential needs correlate with one another. Relatedness and autonomy authorize the self-esteem and sense of security that generate values that feel authentic and right, as well as the capacity to work towards achievable goals. SDT stresses that although autonomy and relatedness might sound like opposites, they are mutually generative. Autonomy enables healthy forms of connection, and having the love and support of others facilitates autonomy. To put this another way, relatedness is not enmeshment, which means the loss of a sense of self and of one’s true goals, thoughts, feelings, and values due to poor boundaries in relationships.

The principles of SDT find thoughtful consideration in Star Trek’s recurring nightmare of enmeshment taken to its limit: the Borg. The Borg are a species that roams the universe “assimilating” members of other species. They replace multiple body parts of their victims with robotic equivalents, most importantly, brain implants that render victims part of the Borg Collective. The assimilated no longer have a separate identity or separate thoughts—they share one mind, controlled by the Borg queen. In some ways, the Borg offers an improvement on the chaos of relationships we see throughout the galaxy: they have no war, no famine, and no poverty. They accomplish the utopian dream of totalitarianism, which is supposed to make life better for all. As we on Earth know all too well, it doesn't, and the problems that plague humanity tend to be as bad or worse under despotic regimes. Star Trek further suggests that even if totalitarianism were to achieve peace and plenty for all, it would remain a nightmare because it denies basic essential needs. In accord with SDT, these needs are shown to be quite literally universal, on the Vulcan and the Klingon home world as well as on Earth.

The episode "I Borg" in The Next Generation focuses on the basic essential needs for autonomy and relatedness (everyone who makes it through Star Fleet Academy has already proved their competence!). The Enterprise rescues a young male survivor from a Borg shuttle crash, taking him on board for medical attention. Because his link with the Collective has been severed, this Borg can begin to learn about what it means to be an individual. The doctor affirms his emerging identity by naming him Hugh, a significant step since members of the Collective have designations that describe their place in the Borg hierarchy rather than names, as we see, most famously, with Voyager’s Seven of Nine. A later conversation with Geordie, whom Hugh obviously admires, enables him to understand why the Collective is oppressive, why humans resist the Borg, and, above all, what he has missed and has now come to value in his own, newly individual life:

Hugh (H): What is Geordie doing?

Geordie (G): I’m studying the components in your prosthesis.

H: Why?

G: I’m trying to learn more about you.

H: Why?

G: Because you’re different than we are. Part of what we do is learn more about other species.

H: We assimilate species. Then we know everything about them.

G: Yeah, I know.

H: Is that not easier?

G: Maybe it is, it’s just not what we do.

H: Why?

G: All right, Think of it this way. Every time you talk about yourself, you use the word “we.” We want this. We want that. You don’t even know how to think of yourself as a single individual. You don’t say I want this, or I am Hugh. We are all separate individuals. I am Geordie. I choose what I want to do with my life. I make decisions for myself. To somebody like me, losing that sense of individuality is almost worse than dying.

Geordie’s answer asserts the value of autonomy and his recognition of how important it is to his well-being. The conversation continues:

H: When you sleep, there are no other voices in your mind. Are you ever lonely?

G: Sometimes. But that’s why we have friends.

H: Friends?

G: Sure. Someone you can talk to. Who will be with you when you’re lonely. Someone. . . someone who makes you feel better.

H: Like Geordie. And Hugh.

And here they address relatedness. Hugh’s response indicates that Geordie has simply expressed what he already feels: the importance of friendship.

After this conversation, Hugh realizes that he wants to leave the Collective. But he decides to return because if he stays on the Enterprise, he is likely to be tracked, and the crew would be assimilated. With poignant irony, the ultimate expression of his individuality involves its sacrifice, which stems from his capacity for both autonomy and connection. The Enterprise returns him to the crash site, and when the Borg arrive to reclaim him, we see the last expression of his true self, a glance to where Geordie is watching. This farewell glimpse at someone he has come to care about deeply tells all about the value of what he is losing and the tragedy of his sacrifice.