Achievement motivation and occupational choice

Abstract

Achievement motivation (n Ach) was related to vocational preferences in a sample of adolescent boys. Results were generally consistent with the theory of achievement motivation, and suggested that persons with high n Ach are relatively more attracted to moderate-probability than to high- or low-probability occupations, have a particular liking for business and engineering occupations, and evaluate prospective occupations relatively more in terms of intrinsic workantent than extrinsic rewards. Results varied in different social-class groups in a way which indicated that n Ach only affects occupational values strongly when it conflicts with values characteristic of the social class of the individual.