Achievement Motivation - Unveiling Its Meaning

Achievement motivation is the need for success. Individuals will fulfill this need in different ways; the reason for the intensity of the need is both internal and external.

Basic Theory

The achievement motivation theory states that people who have a strong need for achievement often exhibit certain characteristics. They include: needing opportunities for promotion, requiring feedback so that success can be recognized, placing more importance on tasks than on relationships, having a preference for tasks that allow them to have power and control, needing to be recognized for successful outcomes due to their actions, to participate in tasks that exhibit their expertise, seeking tasks that are challenging so that expertise can be recognized and steering clear of any likelihood of failure.     

Implicit and Self-Attributed Motives

Researchers state that behavior is affected by your motivation to achieve and situational variables. Two types of motives, implicit and explicit, are identified as being directly involved in the prediction of behavior. An implicit motive is a spur-of the-moment impulse to act; they are unplanned and spontaneous. An explicit motive is done deliberately, precisely and with forethought.  

Implicit and explicit motives help to predict your achievement motivation. If you have a strong implicit drive, you will be pleased that you overcome the challenge by mastering the task. However if you have a strong explicit drive, your motivation is your perceived ability.  

Self-Worth Theory

Self-worth theory notes that in certain conditions some will not put forth an effort in failure is a likely option.  Achievement motivation is actually the motivation not to try since achievement is not likely. How many times have you not tried a sport or learned how to dance because you know that you will not succeed? This is commonplace. You feel like you can’t try this because you don’t think you have the capability to succeed. You are so threatened by failure that you don’t try the new experiences and stay stuck in the proverbial rut. Self-worth theory asserts that you can maintain your self-esteem by withdrawing effort.  

Research Continues

Scientists continue to be intrigued why some people are motivated to achieve and others are not motivated at all. Achievement-orientated people do not gamble with success. They have to believe that achievement is 100% guaranteed in order to “play”.  An example involves a gambler, a conservative person and an achievement-oriented person. The gambler chooses the highest risk because he believes it is beyond his control anyway. He can then rationalize any loss this way. This can be represented by sales associates. The risks they take are worth it when they win. The conservative individual will choose the lowest amount of risk. In the business world, this is the person who does his or her job but does not stick their neck out. They do a competent and satisfactory performance, but they are not and never will be leaders. The middle-ground is the place where the achievement-driven individuals will be most comfortable. They take moderate risk because they believe that their abilities will positively affect the outcome. These individuals in the middle ground represent the successful entrepreneur.