Chapter 8, Problem 8FI

Summary Introduction

Introduction

Achievement motivation is what allows us to continue performing well (studying, working, playing sports, etc.) despite obstacles and distractions, which may cause others to perform poorly or stop altogether. Why does one student need to study in a silent library while another studies quite well in his noisy dormitory? Why does one athlete succeed against a difficult opponent while another falters? David McClelland was a pioneer in the study of this through the evaluation of fantasies. His Thematic Apperception Test presents subjects with a series of cards containing ambiguous images, and the stories subjects tell based on these images can be indicative of their achievement motivation..