In this article we will look at McClellands theory of needs examples for each of the 3 needs identified by McClelland.
What is McClellands theory of needs?
List of Contents
David McClelland’s put forward a theory that classified needs into 3 categories.
Need for Power
Need for Achievement
Need for Belonging
According to Individuals can be driven by one of the 3 types of needs. All people have a mix of these needs but will be having a predominant need which will be driving their behavior. Let’s discuss each of these.
The need for power
These are people who have this as the predominant need feel that they need to control and be in charge. This leads to actions that orient them towards gather power to themselves or be in positions of power in any situation.
Examples of Need for Power
Some people may have a predominant need for accumulating power. The need for power can be seen when in organizations and communities some people seem to engage in activities that make them powerful. A politician looking to gain popularity with the masses through certain actions can be boiled down to the need to obtain power.
The need for achievement
People who have a high need for achievement are mostly driven towards gaining success in their ventures. They tend to be mostly driven by this need. Money or fame may be side effects of this but not their major focus.
Examples of Need for Achievement
Need for achievement is demonstrated when a businessman like Jeff Bezos after achieving great success in one business and after amassing wealth move on to developing new businesses. One may wonder why do they have to do that? Could they not rest on their laurels and retire with the wealth they acquired? Is it greed? The reasons why most business people pursue wealth even after achieving all they dreamed, is usually not because of money. Money for them is a way to track their achievement or keeping score.
The need for belonging
These people tend to value belonging to a group or community and want to be accepted by others. They will compromise on factors of growth or achievement if it counteracts the fulfilment of the need to belong.
Examples of Need for Belonging
Need for belonging is what every human has, but in some it may be more predominant. Engaging in acts you would not otherwise undertake so that you would gain acceptance or due to fear of rejection can be a major force driving behaviors for some people. Sometimes seemingly well mannered people commit acts they would not engage if they were not in a group.
Mclellands theory of needs video
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