Final answer:
The need for achievement is an individual's desire for significant accomplishment and is studied in various motivational theories, including expectancy-value theory. Theories by Bandura, Murray, Maslow, Erikson, and the Davis-Moore thesis contribute to our understanding of this motivation. Expectancy-value theory, in particular, is related to how individuals calculate the expected rewards of their achievements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The need for achievement refers to an individual's desire for significant accomplishment, mastering skills, control, or high standards. It is a drive to excel and succeed. Various theories relate to the need for achievement, including the expectancy-value theory, which posits that an individual's motivational force can be understood as a function of their expected attainment value measures.
Albert Bandura's concept of self-efficacy is crucial in understanding motivation, as it focuses on one's belief in their capabilities to execute actions required to deal with prospective situations. Self-efficacy influences the challenges people take on, the effort they expend, and their perseverance in the face of obstacles.
Several theorists, such as McAdams & Constantian and McClelland & Liberman, have studied social motives including the need for achievement. According to Henry Murray, this need is classified under the domain of ambition, along with the need for recognition.
Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is another theory that encompasses a range of motives, spanning from biological needs to self-fulfillment and social aspects.
Erikson's psychosocial theory also touches upon motivation as it suggests individuals are driven by the need to achieve competence in various life stages.
The Davis-Moore thesis in sociology relates to the motivation behind economic structure and education, implying that higher rewards motivate individuals to pursue more demanding professions.