Status and Power Needs Satisfaction in Relation to Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness

Abstract

Basic psychological needs theory (BPNT) suggests that humans have innate, basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Humans’ need to acquire and maintain a high-rank status or power position is left unexplored in relation to BPNT. In the present research, we empirically investigated the satisfaction of two potential need candidates—the need for status and the need for power—and their discriminant and incremental validity in relation to BPNT needs. Using a preregistered two-wave study (N = 362), we examined and obtained empirical support for the discriminant and incremental predictive validity of the satisfaction of the needs for both status and power. More specifically, satisfaction of the need for status predicted outcomes such as intrinsic motivation, work engagement, and general job satisfaction over and above the satisfaction of BPNT and power needs. The satisfaction of the need for power predicted outcomes such as intrinsic motivation, work engagement, and affective commitment over and above the satisfaction of BPNT and status needs. The satisfaction of the need for neither status nor power consistently predicted turnover intentions and general life satisfaction. We discuss the theoretical implications and future directions for examining satisfaction of the need for status or of the need for power together with the satisfaction of BPNT needs when predicting work outcomes.