A Comparison between the Achievement Motivation of Male and Female School Children in the Pretoria and Witwatersrand Area

Abstract

Achievement is generally applauded in South African society. However, the reaction of individuals to the prospects of success might well be variable. In this study Need for Achievement and Fear of Success are probed among 302 male and 285 female, white English- and Afrikaans-speaking matriculant students in four schools in the Pretoria/Witwatersrand area. These motives are related to one another and to 16 personality factors. The results are compared with those of similar studies conducted in the United States of America.