Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Organizational Leadership Practice Test

According to Acquired Needs Theory, what need is associated with the desire for achievement?

1. Need for Affiliation

2. Need for Power

3. Need for Security

4. Need for Achievement

The correct answer is: Need for Achievement

Acquired Needs Theory, developed by David McClelland, identifies three primary needs that drive human motivation: the need for achievement, the need for affiliation, and the need for power. The need for achievement specifically refers to an individual's desire to excel, set, and accomplish challenging goals. People with a strong need for achievement are motivated by personal success and often seek opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities. This drive can manifest in various ways, such as pursuing high standards, enjoying feedback on performance, and overcoming obstacles. Individuals with a high need for achievement are typically characterized as ambitious, competitive, and driven by a desire to solve problems and innovate. Understanding this need can be crucial in management and leadership contexts, as it informs how to motivate team members effectively. In contrast, the other needs identified in the theory focus on different motivations: the need for affiliation relates to the desire for social relationships and connections; the need for power revolves around the desire to influence or control others; while the need for security involves the pursuit of stability and protection from threats. Each of these needs plays a role in motivating behavior but does not correlate directly with the desire for achievement as specifically as the need for achievement does.