Three Needs Theory
The Three Needs Theory was proposed by David McClelland and his associates. This theory states that there are three needs a person has and meeting these needs provide motivation. The three needs are need for achievement, need for power, and the need for affiliation. These needs can be measured by testing individuals by using a set of pictures and making the individual write a story based on the picture they have seen. The test is interpreted by trained interpreters who determine the level of each need and individual desires based on the stories written.
Need for Achievement: The need for achievement is essentially the drive to succeed in your career. There has been research into this need and people with this need are not always looking for the rewards. Instead, those with a high achievement need are more worried about doing something more efficiently than it has ever been done before. Also, these people want jobs that have high personal responsibility. This is the reason that not all those with high achievement needs are good managers, because good managers have to focus on others accomplishments, not just their own.
Need for Power: The need for power means that the person has the power to make others behave in a manner that they want, which makes people behave in a manner that they would not otherwise behave. There has not been a lot of research into this component of the Three Needs Theory.
Need for Affiliation: Those with a high need for affiliation are looking for friendly interpersonal relationships. There has not been much research on this aspect of the theory either.
Need for Achievement: The need for achievement is essentially the drive to succeed in your career. There has been research into this need and people with this need are not always looking for the rewards. Instead, those with a high achievement need are more worried about doing something more efficiently than it has ever been done before. Also, these people want jobs that have high personal responsibility. This is the reason that not all those with high achievement needs are good managers, because good managers have to focus on others accomplishments, not just their own.
Need for Power: The need for power means that the person has the power to make others behave in a manner that they want, which makes people behave in a manner that they would not otherwise behave. There has not been a lot of research into this component of the Three Needs Theory.
Need for Affiliation: Those with a high need for affiliation are looking for friendly interpersonal relationships. There has not been much research on this aspect of the theory either.
David McClelland
Robbins, S. P. (2014). Management. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.