Achieve motivation and Need achievement theory

Basic Achievement Motivation

• Definition: Linking elements of personality with a degree of competitiveness.

  • Focus on how competitive one is and their willingness to achieve.

Key Concepts of Achievement Motivation

• Personality and Situational Factors: Understanding competitiveness through personal traits and external circumstances.

• Calculation Elements:

  • Probability of Success: Likelihood of succeeding in a given situation.

  • Incentive Value of Success: Desire to excel and achieve.

  • Combined, these elements help assess an individual's competitiveness.

Atkinson and McLellan's Theory (1976)

• Developed a model of achievement motivation using two continuums:

  • East-West Continuum: Indicates need to avoid failure.

    • High Need to Avoid Failure: Strong desire to prevent failure.

    • Low Need to Avoid Failure: Less concern about failing.

  • North-South Continuum: Measures the need for achievement.

    • High Need to Achieve: Strong drive for success.

    • Low Need to Achieve: Lack of motivation towards competition.

50/50 Chance Situations

• Individuals' behavior is predicted based on their position on the continuums under conditions of equal likelihood of success.

• Example: Basketball scenario illustrating competitive behavior:

  • High Need to Achieve Individual: More likely to compete for the ball.

  • Low Need to Achieve Individual: May lack motivation to compete actively.

Characteristics of High vs. Low Need to Achieve Performers

• High Need to Achieve:

  • High concern for achievement.

  • Low concern for avoiding failure.

  • Approach Behavior: Actively take on tasks and challenges.

  • Mastery Orientation: Seek to improve and master tasks when faced with difficulty.

• Low Need to Achieve:

  • Opposite traits to high achievers.

  • Avoidance Behavior: Avoid challenges due to fear of failure.

  • Learned Helplessness: Expectation of failure based on past experiences.

  • Withdraw from challenges and tasks, especially when faced with difficulty.

Conclusion

• Importance of taking thorough notes for class discussions on achievement motivation.

• Understanding the distinctions between high and low achievers aids in analyzing competitive behaviors.