A behavior-oriented approach to measuring the power motive

Abstract

Based on McClelland's need theory, thij investigation represents an attempt to develop and test a research jnstrument for measuring power, achievement, and-affiliation motive,. The primary study variable is the power motive. The significance of the study is supported by· literature citing the need for instruments to ~nhance power research in nursing. A 32-item instrument, the Behavior-Oriented Motive Measurement (BOMM), was designed by the investigajor as an alternative to . existing more complex and lengthy motive mlasurements·. The design of the BOMM is·intended to minimize the time ~equired for completion and to enhance feasibility for use in nursing 1rganizational settings. This investigation included two BOMM tlst administrations. Subjects I . . consisted of a. convenience sample of 26 graduate nursing students,: .16 of · whom repeated testing three weeks later.to provide data for testretest reliability estimates. Reliabilities for internal consistency, content validity and convergent validity wrre also estimated. The BOMM was judged to have content va~idity ·on the basis of expert judges' assessment. In this measur~, the power and achievement scales demonstrated acceptable levels of internal consistency with standardized alphas of .71 and .56, respeclively in Test 1 and alphas of .78 and .73 in Test 2. The powjr motive scale demonstrated an acceptable test-retest reliability: r ·~·.50. This is somewhat low, but comparable to that of other motile measures. Conceptual evidence is cited to support the notion t~at there may be no need to expect high test;_,retest reliabilities for motive measurements. Convergent validity of the power and achievement scales was evidenced by relatively high correlations with the-Manifest Needs Questionnaire( MNQ) (r = .76, p = .001) and (r = .72, p = :001). Acceptable levels of reliability and validity were not obtained for the affiliation scale. On the basis of reliability and val-idity coefficients obtained, the conclusion is drawn ~hat the power and achievement- scales of the BOMM may be useful tools for further research on the power motive.·