Tony v. Tony

Tony Soprano constantly has actions that occur because of the Cognitive Evaluation Theory. Cognitive Evaluation Theory is part of the Self-Determination Theory that explains how a person’s intrinsic motivations to complete an activity can change based on external factors. External factors can have either a negative or positive effect on the person’s intrinsic motivation.  Tony is constantly battling external events impacting his intrinsic motivation. Part of Tony’s personality is that he needs to feel like he does not have to answer to anyone, that he has complete freedom to be his own person. In the earlier seasons, he is “acting” street boss: he is able to call the shots as long as he makes his uncle feel like he is the real boss. Tony constantly manipulates situations to make sure that he has complete autonomy. However, there are many examples of when the Cognitive Evaluation Theory confirms or diminishes autonomy and competence.

As the seasons continue, it is clear to the audience that Tony is losing control over his life to the mafia. His choices and opinions are dictated by what others need from him. The external forces of mob life are wearing down his autonomy and competence. Due to the life he chose, Tony needs to accept that there are limitations to what he can and cannot do. Tony’s intrinsic motivation comes from his ability to have complete autonomy over himself; however, Tony begins to realize that his life is not in his control. This lack of control and limitations prevent him from being able to take actions that he wants to based on the values he cares about. One instance in which Tony comes into clarity about his lack of autonomy comes from finding out about his mother and uncles’ plot to murder him. The FBI released the recorded tape of Livia and Junior Soprano talking about how Livia thinks it is best if Tony is murder. Tony is enraged and in disbelief, but now he realizes that his paranoia about his life is also coming from threats in his inner circle. In this plot, Tony exhibits and endures the Cognitive Evaluation Theory because Tony recognizes an external factor (his mother’s plot to kill him), Tony realizes this is a controlling factor (because his autonomy is not in his own hands), and now his intrinsic motivation to care for and protect his mother diminishes. From that point on, Tony decides that his mother is completely dead to her and he refuses to acknowledge her presence henceforth.

Another example is Tony’s therapy experience as a whole. Tony has always been reluctant with therapy, because he is afraid that his competence is undermined. Tony also feels restricted and controlled by therapy. Tony is not allowed to tell Dr. Melfi certain things for safety reasons. Tony feels restricted on what he can and cannot say in therapy. Tony also uses therapy as an excuse for his self destructive behaviors. By going to therapy and speaking with Jennifer, he has the intrinsic motivation that he is being validated. However, he does not apply the lessons, approaches, and strategies that Jennifer provides Tony with. Tony rationalizes that because he goes to therapy, he is healed. Tony uses therapy as a way to control his life. Because everything going on around him is extremely chaotic, Tony uses his autonomy of going to therapy or not going to therapy as control over his life. 

Lastly, while CET explains that positive feedback and relations contribute to intrinsic motivation, Tony rarely sees the positives in his life. Tony’s character is extremely dark with immoral and illegal activity tied to almost every portion of his life. Tony could be labeled as a sociopath, always in self-destruct mode. However, Tony cares and deeply loves his wife and children (even though it might not seem like it all the time). Tony’s intrinsic motivation comes from being a protector and the controller of his family. In the first episode, Tony is seen caring for a family of ducks in his pool. He is giddy and joyful about these ducks. At the end of the episode, this family of ducks are seen flying away, leaving the pool. Tony has his first panic attack. These ducks symbolized his family, and the pool represented a controlled environment, watched over by Tony himself. The reason Tony has a panic attack when the ducks leave is that he fears what will happen to his family once they leave his watch and his boundaries of control. Tony begins to feel controlled by the universe because he realizes his lack of control over his family. Tony also sees the ducks as a sign of his incompetence because he takes the ducks leaving as a message of “you cannot take care of us well enough.” This situation decreases his intrinsic motivation through a decrease in autonomy and competence. 

Due to Tony's self-destructive personality and his extreme paranoia, Tony never feels supported in his environment. Tony will manipulate the situation, like in therapy, to believe that someone can confirm that he is being successful in his life; however, most eternal events force Tony to believe that he has no control over his life and that he is not doing the best that he can to fulfill his roles. Between Tony's lifestyles and the people he surrounds himself with, Tony's intrinsic motivation continues to diminish.