⊿ Point. {R} Glossary. ◢ Keyword: A. ◥ University. {q} PhD. {tr} Training. ⚫ UK. ↂ EndNote. ✊ Harvey (2009) Autonomy. Capacity for control, discretion or political self-governance In developmental psychology and moral, political, and bioethical philosophy, autonomy[note 1] is the capacity to make an informed, uncoerced decision. Autonomous organizations or institutions are independent or self-governing. Autonomy can also be defined from a human resources perspective, where it denotes a (relatively high) level of discretion granted to an employee in his or her work.[1] In such cases, autonomy is known to generally increase job satisfaction.
Self-actualized individuals are thought to operate autonomously of external expectations.[2] In a medical context, respect for a patient's personal autonomy is considered one of many fundamental ethical principles in medicine. Sociology[edit] Institutional autonomy[edit] Institutional autonomy is having the capacity as a legislator to be able to implant and pursue official goals. Politics[edit] In governmental parlance, autonomy refers to self-governance. Religion[edit]