Need for Achievement

Definition

The need for achievement is the desire to excel, accomplish challenging goals, and take personal responsibility for outcomes. It is a key concept in content theories of motivation and is often associated with the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Individuals with a high need for achievement are typically ambitious, take personal responsibility for outcomes, and seek challenging goals.
2. The need for achievement is a key component of McClelland's Theory of Needs, which posits that it is one of the three primary drivers of human motivation.
3. Entrepreneurs often exhibit a strong need for achievement, as they are driven to create successful ventures and take pride in their accomplishments.
4. A high need for achievement is associated with a preference for moderate-risk situations, where the individual can influence the outcome through their own efforts.
5. The need for achievement can be cultivated and developed through experiences that provide opportunities for personal mastery and the achievement of challenging goals.

Review Questions

• Explain how the need for achievement relates to the content theories of motivation.
  • The need for achievement is a central concept in content theories of motivation, such as McClelland's Theory of Needs. These theories posit that individuals are motivated by a variety of needs, including the need for achievement, which drives them to excel, accomplish challenging goals, and take personal responsibility for outcomes. The need for achievement is considered a key intrinsic motivator, as it stems from an internal desire for success and personal growth, rather than external rewards or pressures.
• Analyze the role of the need for achievement in the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
  • The need for achievement is often cited as a defining characteristic of successful entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs with a high need for achievement are typically ambitious, driven to create successful ventures, and take pride in their accomplishments. They often prefer moderate-risk situations where they can directly influence the outcome through their own efforts. The need for achievement motivates entrepreneurs to set challenging goals, take personal responsibility for their ventures, and persist in the face of obstacles, all of which are key factors in entrepreneurial success.
• Evaluate how the development of the need for achievement can impact an individual's motivation and performance in both academic and professional settings.
  • The need for achievement can be cultivated and developed through experiences that provide opportunities for personal mastery and the achievement of challenging goals. Individuals who have a strong need for achievement are often intrinsically motivated to excel, as they derive a sense of satisfaction and personal growth from accomplishing difficult tasks. In academic settings, a well-developed need for achievement can drive students to set ambitious learning goals, take personal responsibility for their performance, and persist in the face of challenges. Similarly, in professional settings, a high need for achievement can motivate employees to seek out opportunities for growth, take on challenging projects, and strive to exceed performance expectations, ultimately contributing to their overall success and the success of the organization.

Related terms

Achievement Motivation: The desire to meet or exceed a standard of excellence, often driven by an internal need for accomplishment and success.

McClelland's Theory of Needs: A motivation theory that identifies three primary needs - achievement, affiliation, and power - that drive human behavior in various contexts.

Intrinsic Motivation: The drive to engage in an activity for its own sake, rather than for external rewards or pressures, often stemming from a need for achievement or personal growth.