Personality traits and achievement motives: Theoretical and empirical relations between the NEO Personality Inventory-revised and the Achievment Motives Scale

Abstract

Theoretical and empirical relations between personality traits and motive dispositions were investigated by comparing scores of 3 15 undergraduate psychology students on the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised and the Achievement hlotives Scale. Analyses showed all NEO Personality Inventory-Revised factors wcept agreeableness were significantly correlated with the motive for success and the motive to avoid failure. h structural equation model showed that lnotivc for success was predicted by Extraversion, Openness, Conscientiousness. and Neuroticism (neyative relation), and motive to avoid failure was predicted by Neuroticism and Openness (negative relation). Although both achicvcmcnt motives were predicted by several personality factors, motive for success was most strongly predicted by Openness, and motive to avoid failure was most strongly predicted by neuroticism. These findings extended previous research on the relations of personality traits and achievement motives and provided a basis for the discussion of motive dispositions in personality. The results also added to the construct validity of the Achievement Motives Scale.