A study of gender differences on achievement, power, and affiliation needs among Indian adolescents

Pages: 74-78
Navreet (Panjab University, Chandigarh)

The primary objective of the study was to examine the gender differences on the three social motives viz., Achievement (n Ach), Power (n Pow), and Affiliation (n Aff). The total sample consisted of 200 urban adolescent boys (n = 100, M age = 13.77, SD = .132) and girls (n = 100, M age = 13.84, SD = .123). The age range of the subjects, who were drawn from five coeducational schools of Chandigarh city, was 13 15 years. The Adapted TAT (after McClelland et al., 1953) was used for the measurement of the three needs. It consisted of 6 pictures which served as stimulus cues for eliciting stories from the subjects. The TAT protocols obtained were scored by the method of content analysis. The data were then subjected to t tests. Results obtained revealed that female adolescents were significantly higher than male adolescents on intrinsic achievement motivation, fear of success, fear of failure, and need for achievement. Male adolescents were significantly higher than their female counterparts on need for affiliation. The male group also scored significantly higher on hope of power whereas the female group was found to be significantly higher on fear of power. Results are discussed in terms of child rearing practices and changing gender roles. The findings areof particular relevance to Educational and Developmental Psychology.