McClelland's Achievement Motivation
Samantha Teten
Theory
A person's motivation and effectiveness is influenced by the three basic needs of achievement, affiliation, and power. With careful development, the strength of the three needs can be be changed over time.
Need for Achievement
- Want to succeed
- Avoid low-risk and high-risk situations
- Need regular feedback
- Prefer to work alone or with other high achievers
- Employers should challenge them and provide frequent feedback
Need for Affiliation
- Want to work with others and feel accepted
- Prefer work that provides significant personal interaction
- Good at customer service and client interaction jobs
- Employers should put them in a cooperative environment
Need for Power
- Personal Power- want to direct others
- Institutional Power- want to organize other to further the goals of the organization. (more effective)
- Employers should provide the opportunity for management positions
Thematic Apperception Test
A tool developed by McClelland to measure the individual needs of different people. Subjects are presented a picture and then asked to develop a spontaneous story for each. Psychologist can use these to suggest types of jobs.
Sources
Internet Center for Management and Business Administration, Inc. "McClelland's Theory of Needs." Business Knowledge Center. NetMBA, 2010. Web. 20 Mar. 2015. <http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/mcclelland/>.