A Contextual Measure of Achievement Motivation: Significance for Research in Counseling

Facilitating levels of achievement and success experiences are fundamental goals of counseling. Instruments used to assess the results of programs designed to increase achievement motivation are at a rudimentary stage. Common practices of measuring achievement motivation and assessing programmatic training are presented and critiqued in this article, followed by an introduction of a Contextual Achievement Motivation Survey (CAMS). The CAMS, based upon McClelland’s theory of achievement motivation, provides an indicator of one’s achievement thoughts and behaviors.. The CAMS is recommended for counselors to use when assessing programs that increase achievement motivation. It is the first instrument that assesses achievement motivation in the context of school, work, family, community, and leisure as well as providing an overall measure of achievement motivation.