Social Motives Learned from our interactions with others Achievement Motive Fear of Failure Fear of Success Expectancy Value Theory Competency Theory Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Measuring the Need for Achievement Achievement Motive is the desire to set challenging goals and to persist in trying to reach those goals despite obstacles, frustrations, and setbacks. Use of the TAT for measuring Achievement Motivation. High Scorers display persistence on tasks, the ability to perform well on tasks, set challenging but realistic goals, compete with others to win, and are attracted to challenging careers or tasks. See results on page 324

Fear of Failure People display fear of failure when they choose easy tasks offering assured success or impossible tasks with no chance of success. See examples page 324 They often find excuses to explain poor performance to maintain good self-image. Excuses prevent people from taking responsibility for their own action or inaction.

Fear of Success Motive to avoid success Some people are raised with the idea that being successful in all but a few careers is odd and unlikely, so they fear and avoid success Social beliefs about gender roles cause some women to fear success in non-traditional occupations. Later research concludes that men and women both suffer from fear of success.

Expectancy-Value Theory Theory to explain goal-oriented behavior Expectancy is your estimated likelihood of success. Value is simply what the goal is worth to you.

Competency Theory If the task is too easy or too difficult we do not learn anything about our competence. We choose moderately difficult tasks where success and failure may be instructive to prove and improve our competence. Those with high achievement motivation chose a moderate distance for the ring toss.

Humanistic Theory People are motivated by the conscious desire for personal growth and artistic fulfillment. Sometimes our drives to fulfill such needs outweigh our basic drives. Artistic Goals (forget to eat or sleep) Political Goals (hunger strike) Abraham Maslow – Hierarchy of Needs Critics say hierarchy does not apply to everyone

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Believed all humans need to be competent, to win approval and recognition, and to sense that they have achieved something. Hierarchy of Needs Fundamental Needs Biological Physical Safety and Security Psychological Needs (fulfilled by an outside source) Belonging and Love Self-Esteem Self-Actualization Needs