Activity Details

Perform the following tasks:

Step 1: Achievement Styles Questionnaire Activity

For each of the following scales, record a 0 if the style is atypical of you, a 1 if you occasionally use the
style, a 2 if you believe you are average in this pattern, and a 3 if you think you use the particular style
often. After rating the substyles, go back and rank the three major styles (direct, instrumental, and
relational) from 1 (most typical for you) to 3 (least typical for you).

_____ Direct style: I like to achieve and accomplish tasks by my own efforts.

_____ Intrinsic substyle: I tend to compare myself to some standard of performance excellence. For
example, I am satisfied with A’s and B’s and would like to make the dean’s list. I like to see “well written”
on a paper I have done. I try to do work that meets the high standards set by my boss.

_____ Competitive substyle: I tend to express achievement by trying to do better than others do. For
example, I like to get grades that are higher than other students in the class. It is as important to win an
athletic competition as it is to do well. I like to hear that my ideas are better than others.

_____ Power substyle: I like to be in charge of and have control over others in order to accomplish
achievement goals. For example, I would like to organize and lead a study group in order to improve my
grades. I would like to be chairperson of a student organization. I would like a career in management or
another area in which I am in charge of other personnel.

_____ Instrumental style: I tend to use myself and others as a way to meet my goals.

_____ Personal substyle: I often achieve by making use of my status, influence, reputation, and personal
characteristics. For example, I try to dress for success in order to make a good impression on the people
with whom I work. I would like to earn a doctorate degree because I think I would be better able to
meet my goals if I could sign Ph.D. after my name. I would like to be on the dean’s list or an officer in
state organizations because this would help me achieve more.

_____ Social substyle: I tend to use networking to achieve my goals. For example, I plan to join a
fraternity or sorority because other members can provide lifelong social and career connections. I think
it is important to belong to lots of organizations, because you meet people who are able to help you get
things accomplished. I try to associate socially with people I admire, and with whom I hope to work.

_____ Reliant substyle: I tend to achieve by depending on others for direction. For example, before
studying or writing papers, I usually ask instructors and classmates what I should do, and how I should
do it. I think it’s important to get lots of input and feedback from others in order to know how to work
on a task correctly. I often get advice on what to do from others rather than deciding goals by myself.

_____ Relational style: I tend to achieve by contributing to the accomplishments of others.

_____ Collaborative substyle: I tend to achieve through group effort that includes the sharing of both
responsibility and credit. For example, I prefer classes in which projects are done in small groups with
shared responsibilities and a common grade. I would rather co-author a paper than write alone. I like
working on issues with a group of peers.

_____ Contributory substyle: I tend to play a secondary role of helping others to achieve. For example, I
would be willing to work and financially support a spouse while he or she went to college. I like to offer
suggestions in committees, but I would not enjoy being the chairperson of the committee. I would enjoy
playing supportive roles in arenas such as politics and charitable organizations.

_____ Vicarious substyle: I tend to satisfy my own achievement needs by identifying with the success of
other persons who are important to me. For example, I get a lot of school pride when our athletic teams
win. I would just as soon help my offspring to accomplish something important than to achieve that
accomplishment myself. It is satisfying to see a co-worker have a great success. I feel like I can identify
with the co-worker’s achievements.

When you are finished with your rankings, discuss the following questions:

1. How do you feel about your individual pattern?

2. Are you able to work on achievement in ways that are satisfying to you?

3. How would you change school, work, and family situations to better fit your needs?

4. Have you chosen career goals that will enable you to achieve in ways that fit your pattern?

5. What kinds of changes would you like to make in your achievement style?

6. What kinds of changes in your achievement style have occurred over your life so far?

7. Regardless of your current achievement style, which substyle do you wish was your most prominent
style?

8. Can you identify achievement styles of your family members?

9. Can you identify achievement styles of your friends?

10. Do you have similar or dissimilar styles to family and friends?

11. How do you think cultural and worldwide influences affect the prominence of different types of
achievement styles from generation to generation?