Achievement Motivation in High School Graduates (1907–1967) and Occupational Correlates

Abstract

This study reported the relationships between achievement motivation, educational and occupational attainments, and honors won for graduates of a small midwestern high school between the years of 1907 and 1967. Men tended to achieve more formal education and slightly higher occupational status than did women and more honors. Mean achievement motivation was similar and correlated .43 with occupational status for employed women but not men, .27, .35 with years of formal education beyond high school for men and women, and —.43 with year of graduation for women. Occupational level correlated .40s with honors for men, and years of formal education for men and employed women. Women experienced a decline both in achievement motivation and occupational status; earlier graduates expressed higher motivation and entered higher status occupations.