Achievement Motivation -A desire for significant accomplishments with high standards of excellence Some people have high levels of achievement motivation and some have low levels

Motive for Success People who have LOW need for achievement prefer very easy tasks. People with HIGH need for achievement prefer moderately difficult tasks. Failure is not embarrassing. Success is important.

Why are some people highly motivated, while others are not? Children may learn to associate achievement with expectations (intrinsic or extrinsic). May be set in place by early in life by parents and teachers. Strong argument for what playing a part in achievement motivation? Nurture

Achievement Motivation and Motivating People to Perform Psychologists often study the work world and school environment to look at how we can use AM to increase performance in school and the workplace

Industrial and Organizational Psychology Field of Psychology that helps companiesField of Psychology that helps companies increase productivity  The psychologist will look at managers, etc. to see how they treat the people under them.  The managers are then placed into one of two different motivational styles  Theory X or Theory Y

Theory X Assumes that students and workers are basically lazy, error-prone and must never be trusted To work more, they must be given money or rewards Extrinsically motivated

Theory Y Assumes that students and workers are motivated intrinsically Must be given freedom and autonomy

Which would you rather work for? 2 minute partner discussion2 minute partner discussion

Final thoughts on Motivation What happens when motives conflict? Psychologists discuss four types of motivational conflicts.

Approach – Approach Conflict  Occurs when you must choose between two desirable outcomes.  On Friday night, should you go to the movies with your best friend or to dinner with that really cute guy/girl from history class.  Assuming both choices appeal to you, you have a conflict because you can only chose one

Avoidance – Avoidance Conflict  Occurs when you must choose between two unattractive outcomes  If your parents tell you to clean your room or to rake leaves and you desire neither one you are experiencing an avoidance-avoidance conflict.  “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t”

Approach – Avoidance Conflict Exists when ONE event or goal has both attractive and unattractive features Let’s say that you love Taco Bell but the beans give you gas. attractive unattractiveTaco Bell has both attractive (tastes goood) and unattractive (bad gas) features

Multiple Approach-Avoidance Conflicts Here you must choose between two or more things, each of which as both desirable and undesirable features. Here you must choose between two or more things, each of which as both desirable and undesirable features. The best example is choosing a college that you want to go to. The best example is choosing a college that you want to go to. Obviously you are deciding between JMU and VT. Obviously you are deciding between JMU and VT. JMU has better parties and food (attractive), but their parking is bad (unattractive). VT has a good ROTC (attractive), but ugly colors, bad football team and bad parties. (unattractive) JMU has better parties and food (attractive), but their parking is bad (unattractive). VT has a good ROTC (attractive), but ugly colors, bad football team and bad parties. (unattractive)

Brian hates studying but he doesn’t want to face his parents if he flunks Brian hates studying but he doesn’t want to face his parents if he flunks Avoidance-Avoidance Avoidance-Avoidance Tina cant decide which of her two favorite courses to study first – Psychology or English Tina cant decide which of her two favorite courses to study first – Psychology or English Approach-Approach Approach-Approach Sharon loves rich high-calorie desserts but doesn’t want to put on weight. Sharon loves rich high-calorie desserts but doesn’t want to put on weight. Approach-Avoidance Approach-Avoidance Rosalie wants to be more assertive about her own beliefs with her boyfriend but is afraid of losing him. Rosalie wants to be more assertive about her own beliefs with her boyfriend but is afraid of losing him. Approach-Avoidance Approach-Avoidance Tim doesn’t want to be dropped from the football team, but he doesn’t want to give up smoking either. Tim doesn’t want to be dropped from the football team, but he doesn’t want to give up smoking either. Avoidance-Avoidance Avoidance-Avoidance