Achievement-Related Motives and Work-Related Attitudes of Japanese and Chinese Students 1

Abstract

This study was designed to provide data for comparisons of achievement-related motives and work-related attitudes for Japanese and Chinese students. First, the mean scores on achievement-related motives and work-related attitudes of Japanese students (124 men and 174 women) were compared with those of Chinese students (222 men and 130 women). Chinese students displayed stronger motives and attitudes toward successful achievement. Second, the factorial structures of achievement-related motives for each sample were compared. There were some similarities between samples except one factor based on the motive to avoid failure showed an opposite feature. Third, the relationship between achievement-related motives and work-related attitudes was examined for each sample. A canonical correlation analysis provided two variates, instrumental activity arises from achievement motivation in a work-related situation and hope of success in their competitive lives includes economic success.