Sociocultural origins of achievement motivation

Abstract

A theoretical review of current work on sociocultural influences on achievement motivation is presented. Earlier research stemming from the work of David McClelland is reviewed and critically evaluated. It is suggested that the culture and personality orientation of this work, in particular, eventuates in an ethnocentric bias which prevents a full consideration of motivational and achievement possibilities in a wide range of cultural groups. An alternative conception of achievement motivation is proposed which, in addition to personality, stresses the role of contextual and situational factors. In effect, this conception starts with the assumption that all can and do exhibit the behavior that can be termed achievement motivation—it is only a question of when, where, and to what ends. The proposed alternative begins, then, to outline critical contextual factors that may be determinative, including perceived self-other attributional and normative relationships. The value of this alternative approach to achievement motivation for cross-cultural research is specifically stressed.