Gender differences in achievement motive: a facet analysis of Hungarian samples

Achievement Motive of Brazilian, Israeli and US Managers

The major objective of the study was to analyze the structure and relative strength of the achievement motive of managers from various cultural environments. The Achievement Motive Questionnaire (AMQ), devised to assess achievement tendencies of subjects from various cultural backgrounds, was applied. It was hypothesized that although the basic structure of the domain would be similar there would be differences in the relative strength of the achievement motive in the various samples. Based on the responses of 202 Brazilian, 114 Israeli and 132 US managers, the main hypotheses were supported. The relative strength of achievement motive was different in the samples. The US managers were found to be highest on almost all items. The Brazilian managers were found to be higher than their Israeli colleagues in readiness to confront oneself with uncertainty, and difficulty, while the Israeli respondents were higher in readiness to confront oneself with personal responsibility, and with solving problems.

Motivation in geriatric rehabilitation

In this study, critical ethnography was used to explore the factors that help motivate people in a geriatric rehabilitation unit and factors that decreased motivation. Five key informants were chosen using purposeful selection. The participants were white women with an average age of 87. The women were interviewed within the first week of admission and follow up interviews were done at 3- to 5-day intervals. Each informant was interviewed at least three times and one informant was interviewed eight times. Additionally, participants were observed in therapy and on the nursing unit. The following themes emerged regarding factors that improved motivation -- goals, humor, caring, beliefs, encouragement, a motive disposition, and "power with" relationships. Several factors decreased motivation including feelings of domination and negative beliefs. The study helped identify ways in which clinicians can motivate older adults in a geriatric rehabilitation program.