Assessment of Achievement Motives: Comments and Suggestions

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Abstract
Nygård, R. & Gjesme, T. 1973. Assessment of Achievement Motives: Comments and Suggestions. Scand. J. educ. Res. 17, 39‐46. Measuring instruments usually employed in achievement motivation research are reviewed and appraised. The following conclusions are drawn; (a) the validity of the need for achievement tests, especially when used among females, is questionable; (b) the objective tests assumed to indicate the motive to approach success (Ms) are too little directed toward the affects, and too much directed toward the criterion in terms of behavior in performance situations; (c) the validity of objective tests assumed to measure the motive to avoid failure (Mf) seems questionable as far as females are concerned; (d) objective tests refer to specific situations (usually school situations) and thereby the scores reflect the degree of motivation more than the strength of the underlying motive. Suggestions for construction of new instruments are offered.

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