Individual differences in work motivation: Further explorations of a traitframework

Empirical evidence on the conceptual and construct validity of the motivati onal trait taxonomy proposed by Kanfer and Heggestad is presented. 228 adul ts completed a shortened form of the Motivational Trait Questionnaire (MTQ) , along with a battery of personality and ability measures. Relationships o f the MTQ with personality measures show evidence of convergent and discrim inant validity for trait constructs of Personal Mastery, Competitive Excell ence, and Motivation Related to Anxiety. In addition, MTQ scale scores were generally unrelated to composite measures of fluid and crystallised intell igence. Examination of age differences showed a pattern of developmental de cline in the achievement trait complex, but not the anxiety complex.