selbstgewähltes

Selbstgewähltes is a German adjective meaning “self-chosen” or “chosen by oneself.” It describes actions, goals, or roles that an individual selects for themselves rather than tasks or paths that are assigned or imposed by others. The form is often used in attributive position in phrases such as ein selbstgewähltes Risiko, eine selbstgewählte Aufgabe oder selbstgewählte Ziele, and can also occur in nominalized uses within appropriate contexts.

Etymologically, the term combines selbst (oneself) with gewählt (chosen), the past participle of wählen (to choose). It emphasizes agency and deliberation in the selection process. In everyday German, it is commonly applied to personal plans, learning goals, career paths, and lifestyle decisions, signaling autonomy and voluntary initiative.

In practice, selbstgewähltes appears across domains. In education and lifelong learning, learners may pursue selbstgewählte Lernziele or Projekte. In psychology and the social sciences, the concept is linked to autonomy and intrinsic motivation, aligning with broader ideas of self-determination. In workplaces, employees might take on selbstgewählte Aufgaben to increase engagement, though such self-selection can introduce bias or unequal access to opportunities if choices are not equally available to all.

The term is distinct from merely freiwillig (voluntary) by stressing that the choice originated from the individual’s own decision-making process and carries associated responsibility and commitment. Where used carefully, selbstgewähltes can signal empowerment and ownership; misapplied, it may obscure structural constraints or create unrealistic expectations.

See also: Selbstbestimmung, Autonomie, Selbstwirksamkeit, Selbstführung.