David Mcclelland Three Needs Theory Essay

According to David McClelland, an individual’s needs can be grouped into three general motivating drivers. According to his acquired needs theory, or also known as three needs theory, it is said that an individual’s motivation is influenced by either the “need for achievement, power, or affiliation” (iEduNote.com, n.d.). These needs affect an individual’s behaviour, perceptions, and goal execution. The way a person goes about achieving a goal, and the way they look at goals, differ depending on the dominating motivating driver. McClelland stated that irregardless of a person’s “gender, culture, or age” (iEduNote.com, n.d.), everyone has all three motivating drivers but only one will dominate.

This theory suggests that each “individual’s specific

For example, an individual with the need for achievement will strive for success; they aim for achievement and pay little to no attention on the rewards of success. On the other hand, individuals with the need for power want to make an impact; they are hardworking leaders that strive to be in-charge. Finally, the need for affiliation leads to harmonious relationships; people feel the need to be accepted and therefore, tend to conform. Although everyone has all three needs, the degree differs for each individual, and that is what makes us unique. Life experiences, as well as culture, affects the levels of degree of motivation that we are driven by.

McClelland’s theory has proven to have practical implications. As revealed by a research conducted to examine the truth behind this theory focuses on job satisfaction, this theory helped “provide a conceptual explanation of why some individuals experience relatively high job satisfaction in an environment where their contemporaries experience relatively low job satisfaction” (Harrell and Stahl, n.d.). Based on this research, McClelland’s theory helps all employees to achieve satisfaction if applied properly. To properly apply