Two Types of Motivation for Recognition: Secure and Insecure

Abstract

Data from multiple sources supported the distinction between secure and insecure motivation for recognition. Insecure recognition motivation was related to Fear of Power and need for Intimacy in Thematic-Apperception-Test type of stories but not to recognition-seeking in stones or in groups. The reverse was true for secure recognition motivation. Subjects were Israeli undergraduates who completed questionnaires and wrote imaginative stories and participated in sensitivity-training groups.