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Achievement Motivation Definition in Psychology: A Comprehensive Exploration
Author: Dr. Eleanor Vance, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Vance has over 20 years of experience researching and teaching in the areas of motivation, personality, and cognitive psychology. She is the author of several highly cited publications on achievement motivation and its applications.
Keywords: achievement motivation definition in psychology, achievement motivation theory, need for achievement, McClelland's theory, goal-setting theory, self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, achievement motivation challenges, achievement motivation interventions.
Abstract: This article provides a comprehensive examination of the achievement motivation definition in psychology, exploring its theoretical underpinnings, measurement, influences, and practical applications. We delve into the complexities of this multifaceted construct, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges inherent in understanding and fostering achievement motivation.
1. Defining Achievement Motivation in Psychology
Achievement motivation in psychology refers to an individual's desire for significant accomplishment, mastery of skills, control, and high standards. It's a complex interplay of innate predispositions and learned behaviors, driving individuals to seek challenges, persist in the face of obstacles, and experience satisfaction from attaining goals. The core of the achievement motivation definition centers on the intrinsic drive to excel, not merely for external rewards but for the inherent satisfaction of accomplishment itself.
Unlike simpler definitions focused solely on success, the psychological understanding of achievement motivation encompasses a broader spectrum. This includes the willingness to take calculated risks, the capacity to delay gratification, and the ability to learn from both successes and failures. A key element is the individual's perception of their own competence and their belief in their ability to succeed—a concept closely linked to self-efficacy.
2. Theoretical Frameworks of Achievement Motivation in Psychology
Several influential theories attempt to explain achievement motivation. David McClelland's seminal work identified a "need for achievement" (nAch), a personality trait characterized by a strong desire for accomplishment and feedback. This theory posits that individuals high in nAch actively seek challenging tasks, prefer moderate levels of risk, and are driven by a desire for personal mastery.
Further expanding this understanding are goal-setting theories, which emphasize the importance of setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. These theories highlight the role of goal clarity and commitment in driving performance and achievement. Self-efficacy theory, developed by Albert Bandura, complements these perspectives by emphasizing the crucial role of self-belief in influencing motivation and achievement. Individuals with high self-efficacy are more likely to undertake challenging tasks and persist in the face of adversity.
3. Measuring Achievement Motivation in Psychology
Assessing achievement motivation isn't straightforward. Researchers employ various methods, including:
Projective tests: The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a commonly used projective technique where individuals interpret ambiguous pictures, revealing underlying motivational themes.
Self-report questionnaires: These assess individuals' self-perceived levels of achievement motivation, encompassing aspects such as goal orientation, need for achievement, and self-efficacy.
Behavioral observations: Observing individuals' task choices, persistence, and performance provides insights into their real-world achievement motivation.
Each method has its strengths and limitations. Projective tests offer rich qualitative data but are subject to interpretation biases. Self-report questionnaires are efficient but vulnerable to response biases. Behavioral observations are objective but may not fully capture the underlying motivational processes. A multi-method approach is often preferred to obtain a more comprehensive understanding.
4. Challenges and Opportunities in Understanding Achievement Motivation in Psychology
Challenges:
Cultural influences: Achievement motivation manifests differently across cultures, impacting its assessment and interpretation. Individualistic cultures might prioritize individual accomplishment, while collectivistic cultures may emphasize group achievement.
Motivational ambiguity: Distinguishing between intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) motivation is crucial. Extrinsic rewards might temporarily boost performance but can undermine intrinsic motivation in the long run.
Measuring latent constructs: Achievement motivation is a latent construct, meaning it's not directly observable. Measuring it requires inferring it from observable behaviors and self-reports, which introduces measurement error.
Contextual factors: Achievement motivation isn't static; it's influenced by numerous contextual factors, including social support, feedback, and environmental stressors. These factors can significantly modulate its expression.
Opportunities:
Developing effective interventions: Understanding the complexities of achievement motivation allows for the development of targeted interventions to enhance it in educational, workplace, and therapeutic settings. Goal-setting techniques, feedback strategies, and self-efficacy-building exercises are examples of such interventions.
Personalized learning: Tailoring educational approaches to individual achievement motivation profiles can optimize learning outcomes.
Promoting well-being: Fostering healthy achievement motivation is crucial for personal well-being and success. It's about striving for excellence without compromising mental health or relationships.
Addressing achievement gaps: Understanding the factors that contribute to achievement gaps across different demographic groups can inform interventions aimed at promoting equity and social justice.
5. Conclusion
The achievement motivation definition in psychology encompasses a multifaceted construct that extends beyond simple success-seeking. Understanding the interplay of innate tendencies, learned behaviors, cognitive appraisals, and contextual influences is crucial for harnessing its potential. While challenges exist in accurately measuring and interpreting achievement motivation, ongoing research continues to refine our understanding, paving the way for effective interventions to foster healthy achievement and well-being across diverse contexts. Further exploration into the intersection of achievement motivation with other psychological constructs such as resilience, grit, and emotional intelligence is essential for a complete picture.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between achievement motivation and ambition? While closely related, ambition often refers to a broader, more general desire for advancement, whereas achievement motivation focuses specifically on the drive for mastery and accomplishment.
2. How does achievement motivation relate to self-esteem? High achievement motivation can contribute to high self-esteem, but the relationship isn't always straightforward. Repeated failures despite high motivation can negatively impact self-esteem.
3. Can achievement motivation be learned? Yes, aspects of achievement motivation are learned through experience, social learning, and feedback.
4. What are the potential downsides of high achievement motivation? Excessive achievement motivation can lead to perfectionism, burnout, and anxiety.
5. How can parents foster achievement motivation in their children? Parents can foster it by providing support, encouragement, setting appropriate challenges, and celebrating effort rather than solely focusing on outcomes.
6. How is achievement motivation applied in the workplace? Understanding employee achievement motivation helps design effective reward systems, training programs, and leadership styles.
7. What role does feedback play in achievement motivation? Constructive feedback is essential; it provides information for improvement and reinforces effort.
8. How does achievement motivation differ in individualistic vs. collectivistic cultures? In individualistic cultures, achievement often emphasizes personal success, while in collectivistic cultures, it might be more group-oriented.
9. What are some common misconceptions about achievement motivation? A common misconception is equating high achievement motivation solely with external success; intrinsic motivation and personal growth are also critical components.
Related Articles
1. McClelland's Need for Achievement Theory: A detailed examination of McClelland's influential theory, its implications, and limitations.
2. Goal-Setting Theory and Achievement Motivation: Exploring the role of goal setting in enhancing performance and achievement.
3. Self-Efficacy and Achievement Motivation: Analyzing the critical role of self-belief in driving achievement.
4. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation in Achievement: A comparative analysis of the different types of motivation and their impact on achievement.
5. The Impact of Culture on Achievement Motivation: Exploring cross-cultural variations in achievement motivation and their implications.
6. Achievement Motivation and Resilience: Examining the relationship between achievement motivation and the ability to overcome adversity.
7. Achievement Motivation Interventions in Education: Discussing effective strategies for fostering achievement motivation in educational settings.
8. Achievement Motivation and Mental Health: Analyzing the potential links between achievement motivation and mental health challenges.
9. Measuring Achievement Motivation: A Review of Methods: A critical overview of different assessment methods and their strengths and limitations.
Publisher: Sage Publications – A leading academic publisher known for its high-quality publications in psychology and related social sciences.
Editor: Dr. Ava Sharma, PhD, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, Stanford University. Dr. Sharma has extensive experience editing scholarly publications in the field of motivation and learning.
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development Sam Goldstein, Jack A. Naglieri, 2010-11-23 This reference work breaks new ground as an electronic resource. Utterly comprehensive, it serves as a repository of knowledge in the field as well as a frequently updated conduit of new material long before it finds its way into standard textbooks. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Motivation and Personality Charles P. Smith, 1992-06-26 Sample Text |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Development of Achievement Motivation Allan Wigfield, Jacquelynne S. Eccles, 2002-02 This book discusses research and theory on how motivation changes as children progress through school, gender differences in motivation, and motivational differences as an aspect of ethnicity. Motivation is discussed within the context of school achievement as well as athletic and musical performance. Key Features * Coverage of the major theories and constructs in the motivation field * Focus on developmental issues across the elementary and secondary school period * Discussion of instructional and theoretical issues regarding motivation * Consideration of gender and ethnic differences in motivation |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Achievement Motivation Amie Naomhán, 2019 Achievement Motivation: Perspectives, Influences and Outcomes aims to examine the definition and measurement of achievement motivation in sport. A systematic search of the literature was undertaken to identify relevant self-report scales, and each scale is critiqued by describing its general properties, factor structure, evidence of reliability and validity, and potential applications. Next, the authors examine competition, which is a state and trait variable related to achievement motivation, and the relationship it has to behavioural, physiological, and affective outcomes during virtual reality-based sport and exercise. The concluding study sets out to determine the relationship between the level of anxiety and student learning motivation, the relationship between student anxiety levels and student learning achievement, the relationship between learning motivation and student learning achievement, and the relationship between the level of anxiety and student learning motivation simultaneously on student learning achievement. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Human Motivation David C. McClelland, 1988-01-29 Human Motivation, originally published in 1987, offers a broad overview of theory and research from the perspective of a distinguished psychologist whose creative empirical studies of human motives span forty years. David McClelland describes methods for measuring motives, the development of motives out of natural incentives and the relationship of motives to emotions, to values and to performance under a variety of conditions. He examines four major motive systems - achievement, power, affiliation and avoidance - reviewing and evaluating research on how these motive systems affect behaviour. Scientific understanding of motives and their interaction, he argues, contributes to understanding of such diverse and important phenomena as the rise and fall of civilisations, the underlying causes of war, the rate of economic development, the nature of leadership, the reasons for authoritarian or democratic governing styles, the determinants of success in management and the factors responsible for health and illness. Students and instructors alike will find this book an exciting and readable presentation of the psychology of human motivation. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Implicit Motives Oliver Schultheiss, Joachim Brunstein, 2010-02-18 - How do unconscious motivational needs (i.e., implicit motives) influence physiological, cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to incentives? - How can implicit motives be measured? - How are they shaped by culture, how do they influence political and societal processes? - Why are they often mismatched with the explicit beliefs people have about their motivational needs and what are the consequences of such mismatches? - How can we use knowledge about implicit motives in clinical, business, and school contexts to help people achieve their goals? These are some of the topics this comprehensive book presents in 18 clearly written chapters, contributed by leading authorities in the field. It represents a state-of-the-art reference for all researchers and practitioners interested in human motivation. Bringing together exciting new research on a central topic in human motivation, this volume is an important addition to the libraries of personality, social, and cognitive psychologists, affective and social neuroscientists, clinical psychologists, as well as graduate students in these fields and practitioners. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Intrinsic Motivation Edward L. Deci, 2012-12-06 As I begin to write this Preface, I feel a rush of excitement. I have now finished the book; my gestalt is coming into completion. Throughout the months that I have been writing this, I have, indeed, been intrinsically motivated. Now that it is finished I feel quite competent and self-determining (see Chapter 2). Whether or not those who read the book will perceive me that way is also a concern of mine (an extrinsic one), but it is a wholly separate issue from the intrinsic rewards I have been experiencing. This book presents a theoretical perspective. It reviews an enormous amount of research which establishes unequivocally that intrinsic motivation exists. Also considered herein are various approaches to the conceptualizing of intrinsic motivation. The book concentrates on the approach which has developed out of the work of Robert White (1959), namely, that intrinsically motivated behaviors are ones which a person engages in so that he may feel competent and self-determining in relation to his environment. The book then considers the development of intrinsic motiva tion, how behaviors are motivated intrinsically, how they relate to and how intrinsic motivation is extrinsically motivated behaviors, affected by extrinsic rewards and controls. It also considers how changes in intrinsic motivation relate to changes in attitudes, how people attribute motivation to each other, how the attribution process is motivated, and how the process of perceiving motivation (and other internal states) in oneself relates to perceiving them in others. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Carol Sansone, Judith M. Harackiewicz, 2000-09-12 In understanding human behavior, psychologists have long been interested in what motivates specific actions. Debates have pitted extrinsic motivators (e.g. rewards/punishment) against intrinsic motivation in attempting to determine what best motivates individuals. This book provides a summary view of what research has determined about both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, and clarifies what questions remain unanswered. Divided into three sections, section I revisits the debate about the effects of extrinsic incentives or constraints on intrinsic motivation and creativity, and identifies theoretical advances in motivational research. Section II focuses on the hidden costs and benefits of different types of achievement goals on motivation and performance. Section III discusses theory and research findings on how extrinsic and intrinsic motivators may work in everyday life and over time. This book is of interest to researchers in psychology, education, and business, as well as to a wider audience interested in promoting optimal motivation and performance.Coverage in this book includes:* Debates and controversies in motivational research* Developmental nature of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation over time* Influences of parents, educators, and employers in facilitating motivation* Effect of achievement goals on learning and performance* The role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in self-regulationKey Features* Brings together major figures in the fields of motivation, education, and social psychology* Provides a mix of theory, basic and applied research* Presents research conducted both in laboratories and educational settings* Comprehensive chapters provide excellent reviews of previous literature as well as outlines important new directions* Provides different perspectives on controversial debates in a balanced, constructive manner |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning Norbert M. Seel, 2011-10-05 Over the past century, educational psychologists and researchers have posited many theories to explain how individuals learn, i.e. how they acquire, organize and deploy knowledge and skills. The 20th century can be considered the century of psychology on learning and related fields of interest (such as motivation, cognition, metacognition etc.) and it is fascinating to see the various mainstreams of learning, remembered and forgotten over the 20th century and note that basic assumptions of early theories survived several paradigm shifts of psychology and epistemology. Beyond folk psychology and its naïve theories of learning, psychological learning theories can be grouped into some basic categories, such as behaviorist learning theories, connectionist learning theories, cognitive learning theories, constructivist learning theories, and social learning theories. Learning theories are not limited to psychology and related fields of interest but rather we can find the topic of learning in various disciplines, such as philosophy and epistemology, education, information science, biology, and – as a result of the emergence of computer technologies – especially also in the field of computer sciences and artificial intelligence. As a consequence, machine learning struck a chord in the 1980s and became an important field of the learning sciences in general. As the learning sciences became more specialized and complex, the various fields of interest were widely spread and separated from each other; as a consequence, even presently, there is no comprehensive overview of the sciences of learning or the central theoretical concepts and vocabulary on which researchers rely. The Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning provides an up-to-date, broad and authoritative coverage of the specific terms mostly used in the sciences of learning and its related fields, including relevant areas of instruction, pedagogy, cognitive sciences, and especially machine learning and knowledge engineering. This modern compendium will be an indispensable source of information for scientists, educators, engineers, and technical staff active in all fields of learning. More specifically, the Encyclopedia provides fast access to the most relevant theoretical terms provides up-to-date, broad and authoritative coverage of the most important theories within the various fields of the learning sciences and adjacent sciences and communication technologies; supplies clear and precise explanations of the theoretical terms, cross-references to related entries and up-to-date references to important research and publications. The Encyclopedia also contains biographical entries of individuals who have substantially contributed to the sciences of learning; the entries are written by a distinguished panel of researchers in the various fields of the learning sciences. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: APA Handbook of Giftedness and Talent Steven I. Pfeiffer, Elizabeth Shaunessy-Dedrick, Megan Foley-Nicpon, 2018 This handbook incorporates the most recent thinking and cutting-edge research from a wide range of fields related to gifted education, including developmental and social psychology, the neurosciences, cognitive science, and education. It consists of six sections: History and global perspectives on the gifted field and talent development Theories and conceptions of giftedness and talent development Gifted identification and assessment Gifted education Psychological considerations in understanding the gifted (e.g., the family, social and emotional considerations, friendships and peer relations) Special issues facing the gifted (e.g., policy and legal issues; the twice exceptional learner; underachievement and the gifted; ADHD and the gifted; suicide; perfectionism; bullying) |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: How People Learn II National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Board on Science Education, Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences, Committee on How People Learn II: The Science and Practice of Learning, 2018-09-27 There are many reasons to be curious about the way people learn, and the past several decades have seen an explosion of research that has important implications for individual learning, schooling, workforce training, and policy. In 2000, How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School: Expanded Edition was published and its influence has been wide and deep. The report summarized insights on the nature of learning in school-aged children; described principles for the design of effective learning environments; and provided examples of how that could be implemented in the classroom. Since then, researchers have continued to investigate the nature of learning and have generated new findings related to the neurological processes involved in learning, individual and cultural variability related to learning, and educational technologies. In addition to expanding scientific understanding of the mechanisms of learning and how the brain adapts throughout the lifespan, there have been important discoveries about influences on learning, particularly sociocultural factors and the structure of learning environments. How People Learn II: Learners, Contexts, and Cultures provides a much-needed update incorporating insights gained from this research over the past decade. The book expands on the foundation laid out in the 2000 report and takes an in-depth look at the constellation of influences that affect individual learning. How People Learn II will become an indispensable resource to understand learning throughout the lifespan for educators of students and adults. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: The Achievement Motive David C. McClelland, 2015-06-12 2015 Reprint of 1953 Edition. Full Facsimile of the original edition. Not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. This book makes three discrete contributions to the theory of motivation. The first contribution is a theory of motivation; the second large section carefully describes the measurement of the achievement motive through content-analysis of imaginations stories; the rest of the book summarizes a number of experiments with the achievement motive as the dependent variable. McClelland is chiefly known for his work on achievement motivation, but his research interests extended to personality and consciousness. David McClelland pioneered workplace motivational thinking, developing achievement-based motivational theory and models, and promoted improvements in employee assessment methods, advocating competency-based assessments and tests, arguing them to be better than traditional IQ and personality-based tests. His ideas have since been widely adopted in many organizations, and relate closely to the theory of Frederick Herzberg. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Behavioral Neuroscience of Motivation Eleanor H. Simpson, Peter D. Balsam, 2016-05-11 This volume covers the current status of research in the neurobiology of motivated behaviors in humans and other animals in healthy condition. This includes consideration of the psychological processes that drive motivated behavior and the anatomical, electrophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms which drive these processes and regulate behavioural output. The volume also includes chapters on pathological disturbances in motivation including apathy, or motivational deficit as well as addictions, the pathological misdirection of motivated behavior. As with the chapters on healthy motivational processes, the chapters on disease provide a comprehensive up to date review of the neurobiological abnormalities that underlie motivation, as determined by studies of patient populations as well as animal models of disease. The book closes with a section on recent developments in treatments for motivational disorders. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: An Achievement Motivation and Academic Anxiety of School Going Students Dr. Gangaben Patel, 2016-06-15 The world is becoming more and more competitive. Quality of performance has become the key factor for personal progress. Parents desire that their children climb the ladder of performance to as high a level as possible. This desire for a high level of achievement puts a lot of pressure on students, teachers, and schools and in general the education system itself. In fact, it appears as if the whole system of education revolves round the academic achievement of students, though various other outcomes are also expected from the system. Thus a lot of time and effort of the schools are used for helping students to achieve better in their scholastic endeavors. The importance of scholastic and academic achievement has raised important questions for educational researchers. What factors promote achievement in students? How far do the different factors contribute towards academic achievement? (Ramaswamy, 1990). |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation Richard M. Ryan, 2013-12-15 Motivation is that which moves us to action. Human motivation is thus a complex issue, as people are moved to action by both their evolved natures and by myriad familial, social and cultural influences. The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation collects the top theorists and researchers of human motivation into a single volume, capturing the current state-of-the-art in this fast developing field. The book includes theoretical overviews from some of the best-known thinkers in this area, including chapters on Social Learning Theory, Control Theory, Self-determination theory, Terror Management theory, and the Promotion and Prevention perspective. Topical chapters appear on phenomena such as ego-depletion, flow, curiosity, implicit motives, and personal interests. A section specifically highlights goal research, including chapters on goal regulation, achievement goals, the dynamics of choice, unconscious goals and process versus outcome focus. Still other chapters focus on evolutionary and biological underpinnings of motivation, including chapters on cardiovascular dynamics, mood, and neuropsychology. Finally, chapters bring motivation down to earth in reviewing its impact within relationships, and in applied areas such as psychotherapy, work, education, sport, and physical activity. By providing reviews of the most advanced work by the very best scholars in this field, The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation represents an invaluable resource for both researchers and practitioners, as well as any student of human nature. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences Virgil Zeigler-Hill, Todd K. Shackelford, 2020-03-11 This Encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of individual differences within the domain of personality, with major sub-topics including assessment and research design, taxonomy, biological factors, evolutionary evidence, motivation, cognition and emotion, as well as gender differences, cultural considerations, and personality disorders. It is an up-to-date reference for this increasingly important area and a key resource for those who study intelligence, personality, motivation, aptitude and their variations within members of a group. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Complex Problem Solving Peter A. Frensch, Joachim Funke, 2014-04-04 This volume presents a state-of-the-science review of the most promising current European research -- and its historic roots of research -- on complex problem solving (CPS) in Europe. It is an attempt to close the knowledge gap among American scholars regarding the European approach to understanding CPS. Although most of the American researchers are well aware of the fact that CPS has been a very active research area in Europe for quite some time, they do not know any specifics about even the most important research. Part of the reason for this lack of knowledge is undoubtedly the fact that European researchers -- for the most part -- have been rather reluctant to publish their work in English-language journals. The book concentrates on European research because the basic approach European scholars have taken to studying CPS is very different from one taken by North American researchers. Traditionally, American scholars have been studying CPS in natural domains -- physics, reading, writing, and chess playing -- concentrating primarily on exploring novice-expert differences and the acquisition of a complex skill. European scholars, in contrast, have been primarily concerned with problem solving behavior in artificially generated, mostly computerized, complex systems. While the American approach has the advantage of high external validity, the European approach has the advantage of system variables that can be systematically manipulated to reveal the effects of system parameters on CPS behavior. The two approaches are thus best viewed as complementing each other. This volume contains contributions from four European countries -- Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Germany. As such, it accurately represents the bulk of empirical research on CPS which has been conducted in Europe. An international cooperation started two years ago with the goal of bringing the European research on complex problem solving to the awareness of American scholars. A direct result of that effort, the contributions to this book are both informative and comprehensive. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Grit Angela Duckworth, 2016-05-03 In this instant New York Times bestseller, Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.” “Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere” (People). The daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius,” Angela Duckworth is now a celebrated researcher and professor. It was her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience that led to her hypothesis about what really drives success: not genius, but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance. In Grit, she takes us into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what she’s learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers—from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll. “Duckworth’s ideas about the cultivation of tenacity have clearly changed some lives for the better” (The New York Times Book Review). Among Grit’s most valuable insights: any effort you make ultimately counts twice toward your goal; grit can be learned, regardless of IQ or circumstances; when it comes to child-rearing, neither a warm embrace nor high standards will work by themselves; how to trigger lifelong interest; the magic of the Hard Thing Rule; and so much more. Winningly personal, insightful, and even life-changing, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that—not talent or luck—makes all the difference. This is “a fascinating tour of the psychological research on success” (The Wall Street Journal). |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Student Motivation Farideh Salili, Chi-yue Chiu, Ying-yi Hong, 2012-12-06 This book presents the latest developments in the major theories of student motivation as well as up-to-date research on the contextual and cultural variables that influence learning motivation in educational settings. An international roster of experts provides ample illustration of the complexities that are revealed when the study of cultural and contextual interactions is combined with motivational and cognitive variables. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Mindset Carol S. Dweck, 2007-12-26 From the renowned psychologist who introduced the world to “growth mindset” comes this updated edition of the million-copy bestseller—featuring transformative insights into redefining success, building lifelong resilience, and supercharging self-improvement. “Through clever research studies and engaging writing, Dweck illuminates how our beliefs about our capabilities exert tremendous influence on how we learn and which paths we take in life.”—Bill Gates, GatesNotes “It’s not always the people who start out the smartest who end up the smartest.” After decades of research, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., discovered a simple but groundbreaking idea: the power of mindset. In this brilliant book, she shows how success in school, work, sports, the arts, and almost every area of human endeavor can be dramatically influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities. People with a fixed mindset—those who believe that abilities are fixed—are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset—those who believe that abilities can be developed. Mindset reveals how great parents, teachers, managers, and athletes can put this idea to use to foster outstanding accomplishment. In this edition, Dweck offers new insights into her now famous and broadly embraced concept. She introduces a phenomenon she calls false growth mindset and guides people toward adopting a deeper, truer growth mindset. She also expands the mindset concept beyond the individual, applying it to the cultures of groups and organizations. With the right mindset, you can motivate those you lead, teach, and love—to transform their lives and your own. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Motivational Psychology of Human Development J. Heckhausen, 2000-09-15 The idea for this book grew out of the conference Motivational Psychology of Ontogenesis held at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, Germany, in May 1998. This conference focused on the interface of development and motivation and therefore brought together scholars from three major areas in psychology - developmental, motivational and lifespan.This combination of fields represents the potential influence of development on motivation and the potential role motivation plays in development and its major contexts of family, work and school. Thus, contributors were chosen to apply motivational models to diverse settings of human everyday life and in various age groups across the life span, ranging from early childhood to old age. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Motivation and Achievement John William Atkinson, Joel O. Raynor, 1974 For undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, education, business administration and others. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Cognitive Motivation David Beswick, 2017-08-10 Motivation and cognition were treated as separate concepts throughout most of twentieth-century psychology. However, in recent years researchers have begun viewing the two as inextricably intertwined: not only does what we want affect how we think, but how we think affects what we want. In this innovative study, Beswick presents a new general theory of cognitive motivation, synthesizing decades of existing research in social, cognitive and personality psychology. New basic concepts are applied to a wide range of purposive behaviour. Part I of the volume reviews different forms of cognitive motivation, such as curiosity, cognitive dissonance, achievement motivation, and the search for purpose and meaning, while Part II examines the basic processes that underlie it, such as working memory, attention and emotion. The central concept is the incomplete gestalt, in which motivation is generated by a universal striving to integrate information and make sense at all levels of cognitive organization. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: A Theory of Human Motivation Abraham Maslow, 2013 |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Motivating Students Steve Armstrong, Sally Brown, Gail Thompson, 2014-05-22 This work brings together the experience of educators, trainers and students searching for ways of increasing student motivation. Links between motivation and training, learning and assessment processes are examined through case studies set in a broad range of subject discipline contexts. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Motivation for Achievement M. Kay Alderman, 2013-05-13 Understanding student and teacher motivation and developing strategies to foster motivation for students at all levels of performance are essential to effective teaching. This text is designed to help prospective and practicing teachers achieve these goals. Its premise is that current research and theory about motivation offer hope and possibilities for educators —teachers, parents, coaches, and administrators—to enhance motivation for achievement. The orientation draws primarily on social-cognitive perspectives that have generated much research relevant to classroom practice. Ideal for any course that is dedicated to, or includes coverage of, motivation and achievement, the text focuses on two key roles teachers play in supporting and cultivating motivation in the classroom: establishing the classroom structure and instruction that provides the environment for optimal motivation, engagement, and learning; and helping students develop the tools that will enable them to be self-regulated learners and develop their potential. Pedagogical features aid the understanding of concepts and the application to practice: Strategy boxes present guidelines and strategies for using the various concepts. Exhibit boxes include forms for different purposes (for example, goal setting), examples of teacher beliefs and practices, and samples of student work. Reflection boxes stimulate readers’ thinking about motivational issues inherent in the topics, their experiences, and their beliefs. A motivational toolbox at the end of each chapter helps readers identify important points to think about, lingering questions, strategies to use now, and strategies to develop in the future. NEW IN THE THIRD EDITION Updated research and new topics are added throughout as warranted by current inquiry in the field. Chapters are reorganized to provide more coherence and to account for new findings. New and updated material is included on issues of educational reform, standards for achievement, and high-stakes testing, and on achievement goal theory, especially regarding performance goals and the distinction between performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals as relevant to classroom practice. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: The Dynamics of Action John William Atkinson, David Birch, 1970 |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: The Achieving Society Prof. David C. McClelland, 2016-11-11 Harvard University Professor David C. McClelland is chiefly known for his work on achievement motivation, but his research interests extended to personality and consciousness. He pioneered workplace motivational thinking, developing achievement-based motivational theory and models, and promoted improvements in employee assessment methods, advocating competency-based assessments and tests, arguing them to be better than traditional IQ and personality-based tests. His ideas have since been widely adopted in many organisations, and relate closely to the theory of Frederick Herzberg. He is most noted for describing three types of motivational need, which he identified in this book, The Achieving Society: 1. achievement motivation (n-ach), 2. authority/power motivation (n-pow), 3. affiliation motivation (n-affil). First published in 1961, his classic book provides a factual basis for evaluating economic, historical, and sociological theories that explain the rise and fall of civilizations. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Trends and Prospects in Motivation Research Anastasia Efklides, J. Kuhl, R.M. Sorrentino, 2007-05-08 This book presents up-to-date basic research in motivation and self-regulation and an overview of the field, with particular emphasis on issues such as change of motivation, effects of context and culture on motivation, relations of cognition and affect in motivation and self-regulation, and motivation in school, in sports, and in the aged. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Achievement Motivation Fyans, 2013-06-29 This book started as a symposium on Achievement Motiva tion at the 1978 American Educational Research Association Convention. The participants in that symposium were Jack Atkinson, Martin Maehr, Dick De Charms, Joel Raynor, and Dave Hunt. The subsequent response to that symposium indicated a coming of age for motivation theory in terms of education. Soon afterward, at a Motivation in Education Conference at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, it became apparent that due to this emergence of motivation what was needed was a comprehensive perspective as to the state of the art of achievement theory. Achievement theory had by now well surpassed its beginnings in the 1950s and 1960s and was ready for a composite presentation and profile of the recent research and theories of motivation. Thus, this volume was born. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each contribu tor to this book as well as Robert L. Linn who critically reviewed several of the manuscripts. Thanks are also due to my former graduate advisors, Martin L. Maehr, Maurice Tatsuoka, and Harry Triandis, for the viewpoints given me in graduate school education which I hope have benefitted this under taking. Joyce Fitch did a splendid joh typing many of these chapters and special gratitude should be given to Judy Cadle of Professional Services, Inc. for the composition and proofing of this book. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology Robert C. Eklund, Gershon Tenenbaum, 2013-12-17 How do athletes overcome fears, slumps, mental blocks, or injuries? How do they deal with stress and anxiety, be it from competitors, teammates, audiences, parents, coaches, or themselves? What psychological techniques prove effective in mental training for peak performance, maintaining concentration, motivation, and competitive drive? How can an athlete enhance his or her commitment to a training regimen, or how might the average person better adhere to a program of fitness and exercise? Readers will find answers to these questions and more in the Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Features & Benefits: Entries explore the theory, research, and application of psychology as it relates to sport and fitness in a manner that is accessible and jargon-free to help readers better understand human behavior in sport and exercise settings. From personal factors to situational factors influencing performance to specific psychological techniques for enhancing performance, this work provides comprehensive coverage of the field via approximately 350 to 400 signed entries. Entries conclude with cross-references and suggestions for further readings to guide students further in their research journey. Available in print and online, this monumental work is edited by two leading figures in the field with a distinguished international Editorial Advisory Board to select and assign entries, ensuring authoritative content readers can trust. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Methods and Assessment in Culture and Psychology Michael Bender, Byron G. Adams, Ype H. Poortinga, 2021-02-18 Cross-cultural studies require sound methodology and psychometrics. This book outlines advances in assessment from many expert perspectives. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Dare to Lead Brené Brown, 2018-10-09 #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Brené Brown has taught us what it means to dare greatly, rise strong, and brave the wilderness. Now, based on new research conducted with leaders, change makers, and culture shifters, she’s showing us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead. Don’t miss the five-part HBO Max docuseries Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart! NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BLOOMBERG Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential. When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it’s necessary to do good work. But daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start. Four-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question: How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture? In this new book, Brown uses research, stories, and examples to answer these questions in the no-BS style that millions of readers have come to expect and love. Brown writes, “One of the most important findings of my career is that daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable. It’s learning and unlearning that requires brave work, tough conversations, and showing up with your whole heart. Easy? No. Because choosing courage over comfort is not always our default. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and our work. It’s why we’re here.” Whether you’ve read Daring Greatly and Rising Strong or you’re new to Brené Brown’s work, this book is for anyone who wants to step up and into brave leadership. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: The Great Mental Models, Volume 1 Shane Parrish, Rhiannon Beaubien, 2024-10-15 Discover the essential thinking tools you’ve been missing with The Great Mental Models series by Shane Parrish, New York Times bestselling author and the mind behind the acclaimed Farnam Street blog and “The Knowledge Project” podcast. This first book in the series is your guide to learning the crucial thinking tools nobody ever taught you. Time and time again, great thinkers such as Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett have credited their success to mental models–representations of how something works that can scale onto other fields. Mastering a small number of mental models enables you to rapidly grasp new information, identify patterns others miss, and avoid the common mistakes that hold people back. The Great Mental Models: Volume 1, General Thinking Concepts shows you how making a few tiny changes in the way you think can deliver big results. Drawing on examples from history, business, art, and science, this book details nine of the most versatile, all-purpose mental models you can use right away to improve your decision making and productivity. This book will teach you how to: Avoid blind spots when looking at problems. Find non-obvious solutions. Anticipate and achieve desired outcomes. Play to your strengths, avoid your weaknesses, … and more. The Great Mental Models series demystifies once elusive concepts and illuminates rich knowledge that traditional education overlooks. This series is the most comprehensive and accessible guide on using mental models to better understand our world, solve problems, and gain an advantage. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Drive Daniel H. Pink, 2011-04-05 The New York Times bestseller that gives readers a paradigm-shattering new way to think about motivation from the author of When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing Most people believe that the best way to motivate is with rewards like money—the carrot-and-stick approach. That's a mistake, says Daniel H. Pink (author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Motivating Others). In this provocative and persuasive new book, he asserts that the secret to high performance and satisfaction-at work, at school, and at home—is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world. Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does—and how that affects every aspect of life. He examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose-and offers smart and surprising techniques for putting these into action in a unique book that will change how we think and transform how we live. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on the Science of Children Birth to Age 8: Deepening and Broadening the Foundation for Success, 2015-07-23 Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: The Power Motive David G. Winter, 1973 |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Promoting Motivation and Learning in Contexts Gregory Arief D. Liem, Dennis M. McInerney, 2020 The body of literature has pointed to the benefits of educational interventions in facilitating improvement in school motivation and, by implication, learning and achievement. However, it is now recognized that most extant motivation and learning enhancing intervention programs are grounded in Western motivational and learning perspectives, such as attribution, expectancy-value, implicit theories of intelligence, self-determination, and self-regulated learning theories. Further, empirical evidence for the positive impacts of these interventions seems to have primarily emerged from North American settings. The cross-cultural transferability and translatability of such educational interventions, however, are often assumed rather than critically assessed and adapted before their implementation in other cultures. In this volume, the editors invited scholars to re-assess their intervention work from a sociocultural lens. Regardless of the different theoretical perspectives and strategies they adopt in their interventions, these scholars are in unison on the importance of taking into account sociodemographic backgrounds of the students and sociocultural contexts of the interventions to optimize the benefits of such interventions. Indeed, placing culture at the heart of designing, implementing, and evaluating educational interventions could be a key not only to strengthen the effectiveness and efficacy of educational interventions, but also to ensure that students of a wider and more diverse range of educational and cultural backgrounds reap the benefits from such interventions. This volume constitutes the foundation towards a deeper and more systematic understanding of culturally relevant and responsive educational interventions. |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, 2013 Helps students understand how culture impacts development in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Grounded in a global cultural perspective (within and outside of the US), this text enriches the discussion with historical context and an interdisciplinary approach, including studies from fields such as anthropology and sociology, in addition to the compelling psychological research on adolescent development. This book also takes into account the period of emerging adulthood (ages 18-25), a term coined by the author, and an area of study for which Arnett is a leading expert. Arnett continues the fifth edition with new and updated studies, both U.S. and international. With Pearson's MyDevelopmentLab Video Series and Powerpoints embedded with video, students can experience a true cross-cultural experience. A better teaching and learning experience This program will provide a better teaching and learning experience-- for you and your students. Here's how: Personalize Learning - The new MyDevelopmentLab delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. Improve Critical Thinking - Students learn to think critically about the influence of culture on development with pedagogical features such as Culture Focus boxes and Historical Focus boxes. Engage Students - Arnett engages students with cross cultural research and examples throughout. MyVirtualTeen, an interactive simulation, allows students to apply the concepts they are learning to their own virtual teen. Explore Research - Research Focus provides students with a firm grasp of various research methods and helps them see the impact that methods can have on research findings. Support Instructors - This program provides instructors with unbeatable resources, including video embedded PowerPoints and the new MyDevelopmentLab that includes cross-cultural videos and MyVirtualTeen, an interactive simulation that allows you to raise a child from birth to age 18. An easy to use Instructor's Manual, a robust test bank, and an online test generator (MyTest) are also available. All of these materials may be packaged with the text upon request. Note: MyDevelopmentLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MyDevelopmentLab, please visit: www.mydevelopmentlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MyDevelopmentlab (at no additional cost): ValuePack ISBN-10: 0205911854/ ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205911851. Click here for a short walkthrough video on MyVirtualTeen! http://www.youtube.com/playlist'list=PL51B144F17A36FF25&feature=plcp |
| achievement motivation definition in psychology: Handbook of Motivation at School Kathryn R. Wentzel, David B. Miele, 2009-09-10 The Handbook of Motivation at School presents the first comprehensive and integrated compilation of theory and research on children’s motivation at school. It covers the major theoretical perspectives in the field as well as their application to instruction, learning, and social adjustment at school. Key Features: Comprehensive – no other book provides such a comprehensive overview of theory and research on children’s motivation at school. Theoretical & Applied – the book provides a review of current motivation theories by the developers of those theories as well as attention to the application of motivation theory and research in classrooms and schools. Chapter Structure – chapters within each section follow a similar structure so that there is uniformity across chapters. Commentaries – each section ends with a commentary that provides clear directions for future research. |
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