A questionnaire measure of achievement motivation.

Three studies were conducted to investigate the possibilit> of constructing a new questionnaire to measure the achievement motive and found a high correlation was found between n Ach and performance, while there was no significant correlation in a structured program.

Abstract

Three studies were conducted to investigate the possibilit> of constructing a new questionnaire to measure the achievement motive Study I stated with an initial item pool whose content ranged over 10 aspects thought to be characteristic of an individual who is highly motivated to achieve. Items embodying all except one aspect were included in the scale resulting from an item analysis, Study II investigated correlations between n Ach and performance in a neutral and an achievement-oriented condition Only in the latter were significant correlations found. In Study III, two educational programs were compared with regard to their motivational implications In an unstructured program, a high correlation was found between n Ach and performance, while there was no significant correlation in a structured program. The importance of a theoretical approach stressing relevant situational cues was discussed