The Achievement Motives Scale (AMS), constructed by Gjesme and Nygard, was administered to 594 Oslo (Norway) 6th graders and 364 Drammen (Norway) 6th graders. Factor analysis showed the two homogeneous scales of the AMS (tendency to approach success and avoid failure) measure different variables of achievement motive. (LC)

Investigated whether certain early experiences could explain differences in adults' test anxiety, achievement motivation, and fear of success. These antecedent variables yielded five factors. Multiple regression analyses using these factors as predictors were not significant for achievement motivation or fear of success, but were significant for…

Examined manifest needs of achievement, dominance, autonomy, and affiliation of counselors. Results indicated similarities in male and female counselors regarding achievement, dominance, and autonomy and that there was a consistent trend for the male counselors to have higher needs for affiliation than female counselors on the job. (Author/PAS)

Examines four individual causal attributions (ability, effort, context, and luck) for success and failure in social affilation. Both an internal-external dimension and a stable-unstable dimension were used. Subjects were 684 university students from India, Japan, South Africa, United States, and Yugoslavia. (Author/MP)

Variance in the level and expression of achievement orientation was examined with 1,120 women. Levels of achievement orientation were stable; career and family attainment values varied with age and life-cycle stage. Career values were more likely to be high among women who were young, single, or mothers of older children. (Author/HLM)

A collection of essays focuses on the need to integrate philosophy into sport and physical education. The function of sport philosophy is to examine beliefs and values as a basis for human behavior. Philosophical issues examined include: (1) cheating; (2) competition; (3) the development of self-reflection and responsibility; and (4) the…

Compared high-school students differing in achievement motivation in a learned helplessness experiment. A strong helplessness effect was observed in both high- and low-achievement motivation groups. Results show a strong learned helplessness effect unrelated to individual differences in achievement motivation and refute claims that helplessness…

A Norwegian version of the Achievement Motives Scale (AMS) was administered to Oslo sixth-graders, along with verbal, numeric, test anxiety, and lie/defensiveness tests. Results showed the relationships to academic performance predicted by achievement theory. Even when related to the personality scales, the AMS showed promising qualities.…

Valid measures of achievement need must consider both specific discipline and motivational factors within each discipline. Four factors influence a student's achievement need: self-concept of ability, attitudes toward teachers, teacher expectations, and future value of courses. (CP)

Presents three aspects of the school environment which influence child development: physical and material space, human relationships, and activities. (Author/DB)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the development of need achievement (n Ach), need for affiliation (n Aff), and need for power (n Pow) among 80 children between the ages of six through ten. A primary goal was to determine whether these motives are interdependent. (Author/MP)

The literature on motivational and cognitive factors related to the achievement orientation of black women is reviewed. Achievement motivation and fear of success are discussed, and the inconclusiveness of the findings for black women is noted. Limited data concerning black women's expectations for and causal attributions about achievement…

Children are under constant pressure to excel, and the computer could be intensifying this pressure, fostering a generation who will never live up to their own expectations. This article argues that the solution is not to get rid of computers but to put less pressure on children, to encourage their interests but not expect them to be perfect. (PEN)

Argues that the psychosocial bases of achievement motivation, when integrated with principles of cultural anthropology and cultural psychology, will move both theory and research forward. Maintains that researchers should contextualize research questions, develop authentic means of inquiry, and acknowledge within-group differences. Presents…

Calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficients for five recent studies (N=1,723) which used the Manifest Needs Questionnaire (MNQ) to measure needs for achievement, autonomy, affiliation, and dominance. Results showed acceptable levels of internal consistency for achievement and dominance needs. Found support for autonomy and affiliation needs with some…