Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader viewed through Self-Determination Theory

Anakin Skywalker/ Darth Vader and SD Theory 

            Looking at the story and character of Anakin Skywalker through Self-Determination Theory, and more specifically through Cognitive Evaluation Theory we will get a better picture of how this “chosen one” who was said to “Destroy the Sith! Not join them!” did so and it was because he was deprived in major areas of his life the 3 basic needs. Cognitive Evaluation Theory states that people have 3 basic needs that need to be met: autonomy, competence, relatedness. When these needs are met people will engage in activities. These elements needed for intrinsic motivation and the supports needed in a person’s environment are important to understanding Anakin’s Journey into becoming Darth Vader. Anakin Skywalker was born a slave on the Hutt Controlled Planet of Tatooine working for Watto in his junk dealing business. Here we see that Anakin has almost no agency and control in his life and therefore hates it. The only source of competence for Anakin currently is that he is very good at fixing things and pod racing. 

Anakin speaking to his owner watto 

Anakin pod racing 

This need is being met, but still at the cost of autonomy. In terms of relatedness, this is also a problem for Anakin. The only positive relationship in his life is his mother, who is also a slave. She takes care of him and watches over him. He eventually meets two more people in his life who create positive relationships in his life, Qui Gon Jinn, and Padme Amidala. Qui Gon is a Jedi Master and is the one who believes Anakin is the Chosen One. This is a boost to Anakin’s competence but eventually, this relationship becomes sour for Anakin as Qui Gon is killed shortly after meeting him. Padme is 14 at the time and while Anakin is 9, and he develops a crush on her pushing his motivation for freedom and agency in his life. He dreams of becoming free and traveling among the stars away from Tatooine.

Anakin then begins to train as a Jedi, and with training as a Jedi, you must follow the Jedi Code. In the Jedi Code, you are not to grow attachments to people. Anakin is someone who struggles with this ability as does everyone, but it is especially hard for him. As a Jedi padawan (apprentice) you have almost no choice and personal freedom. There are routines of exercising and meditation that he must do every day.

Anakin when his a Jedi Padwan around 19 years old 

 His master is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was once apprenticed to Qui Gon. This is another positive yet sour relationship for Anakin. Obi-wan is a teacher, a guide, and a friend to almost a brother to him. Sadly, though this relationship from Anakin’s point of view is a hindrance to his skills and abilities. Anakin says that Obi-Wan is holding him back and not letting Anakin hold his true potential. This is a hindrance to Anakin’s current goal and what he intrinsically strives to be, the greatest Jedi in galactic history. Still, this is positive for Anakin because he still grows in his skills and abilities as a Jedi. He then meets Padme after not seeing her for 10 years and he falls HARD for Padme and they secretly get married. This relationship in his life is good for around 4 years in his life but eventually leads to his downfall. 

Anakin and Padme getting secretly married 

Also what happens at this time is that his mother is killed while Anakin was away training as a Jedi and he holds himself responsible which strikes down the number of positive relationships in his life.

Anakin holding his mother as she dies in his arms

During the conflict known as the Clone Wars Anakin is a general in the Grand Army of the Republic. He can make decisions on the battlefield, command his troops the way he wants to, and fight for the cause he believes to be true. His autonomy in this time is greatly expanded but still limited because of the Jedi Council which becomes a source of strife and untrustworthiness for him. He grows to closer to Obi-Wan through this time since they are equals on the battlefield but Obi-Wan is also a Jedi Master and is also on the Jedi Council. 

Anakin and Obi-Wan leading Clone Troopers during the Clone Wars 

A wonderful yet equally destroying relationship Anakin has during this time is with his own Padawan Ahsoka Tano. He teaches, guides, and grows close to this young woman throughout this 4-year period. He finally is able to make some big choices for himself and others as well. As the clone wars continue on Anakin becomes more competent in his abilities because he is able to show them to others and get approval, but his relationship with the Jedi Council is floundering as he begins to believe they are lying to him and holding him back.

Anakin and Ahsoka at the Battle of Christophis 

     Finally, his relationship with Ahsoka also comes to sour as she is excommunicated from the Jedi Order of which Anakin did not much have the power to stop and they are not to see each other for a bit of time until the Siege of Mandalore.

Ahsoka Leaving Anakin outside the Jedi Temple 

            Now is when Anakin turns to Dark Side and transforms into Darth Vader. His motivation at this point has changed to wanting to be a good father since his Secret Wife Padme is now pregnant. He dreams that Padme will die in childbirth. 

Anakin learning he is going to be a father

            Fearful of this fate and wanting some agency in this matter he is lured to the Dark Side by Darth Sidious, his future master. Darth Sidious gives Anakin what he wants and what Anakin believes the Jedi are not giving him, freedom, love, attachment, and trust. Darth Sidious promises that he can save Padme from dying and that he can finally achieve his dream of living a life more than an ordinary Jedi since he is the Chosen One. 

Chancellor Palpatine revealing himself to Anakin as Darth Sidious 

    This is the moment where all of Anakin’s positive relationships leave his life, become free yet also enslaved, but it the most competent he will ever be. He loses his wife as he force chokes her death, he loses trust in the Jedi Order by asking to spy on the Supreme Chancellor (Darth Sidious), and he loses his brother or best friend Obi-Wan, who cuts off his arms and legs and leaves him to die.

 

Anakin burning on Mustafar after he loses his duel with Obi-Wan

Darth Sidious who is now the emperor of the newly formed Galactic Empire makes Anakin now Named Darth Vader his henchmen and apprentice, obeying his master’s will.

Anakin's Physical Transformation into Darth Vader (video)

Over the Next 19 years Darth Vader’s only goal is to keep peace and order throughout the Galaxy, his motivation is to follow his master’s bidding. He is number two in the Galactic Empire and is feared throughout the Galaxy. He commands armies, fleets, and can do whatever he basically wants as long as his master deems it. This is Darth Vader at his height of power which shows his autonomy and competence, but he has no positive relationships. 

Darth Vader leading his troops

    Everyone either fears him or hates him. Even his own master fears him and sees him as a possible threat. There is some positivity to this relationship with his master; Emperor Palpatine or Darth Sidious gives Vader instruction in the ways of the dark side thus granting him more and more power. With more power in the Empire, the more autonomy one has, and with Vader being number two in the chain of command he has a lot of autonomy. Then enters his son Luke Skywalker.

Vader was told by his master that he killed his own wife and therefore his future child. He then learns that this is not true and was lied to by his master, thus pushing that last possible positive relationship he has in the galaxy away. His goal is to now bring his son to the dark side and help him overthrow the emperor and they will rule the galaxy as father and son. 

Darth Vader after Learning he has a Son and stating his new goal

Vader is eventually brought back to the light side and becomes Anakin Skywalker once again. In his final act, he finally exercises ultimate autonomy and agency by saving his son from death and killing emperor Palpatine. Now Anakin Skywalker once more he has saved the last positive relationship in his life, his relationship with his son, and his daughter, but they don’t interact much.

Vader Killing Palpatine to Save Luke (video)

Anakin’s Journey to Darth Vader and back to Anakin Skywalker is the story of a boy who wanted freedom, love, admiration, but also control, power, and order. He sacrifices either autonomy, competence, or relatedness in balance with the others as he did bring balance to the force. His ultimate desire was to have control over his destiny and to have those who mattered most in his life to love him, and over time he achieved it, but at a great cost.