The following chart shows some thoughts and behaviors that are typical
of the three types of social motives:
THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTIC OF THE
THREE SOCIAL MOTIVES
ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVE
TYPICAL
TYPICAL
THOUGHTS
BEHAVIORS
Outperforming someone else
Setting realistic but Challenging
Meeting or surpassing a self-
goals
imposed standard of excel-
Looking for performance feed-
Ience
back
Doing something unique Ad-
Taking initiative
vancing one’s career
Taking personal responsibility
Trying to be innovative
Choosing experts over friends to
work with
AFFILIATION MOTIVE
TYPICAL
TYPICAL
THOUGHTS
BEHAVIORS
Developing and maintaining
Having many friends
close friendships
Talking to others frequently; writ-
Being with others to enjoy
ing a lot of letters; making phone
their company
calls
Concern about separation
Choosing to be with others rather
from others and wanting to
than be alone
restore relationships
Putting people before tasks
Seeing group activities as
social
Choosing friends over experts to
work with
Seeking personal approval
Sympathizing, agreeing with, and
consoling others
Communicating about how others
think and feel
POWER MOTIVE
TYPICAL
TYPICAL
THOUGHTS
BEHAVIORS
Taking strong and forceful
Being active in the organization’s
actions
politics
2-4
