Which need is the desire to influence and control others and to be responsible for a group's activities, valuing hierarchical relationships?

• A. Power need
• B. Achievement need
• C. Affiliation need
• D. Autonomy need

Answer: (A)

This item measures the drive to influence and lead others and to be responsible for a group's activities, with a preference for hierarchical relationships. The power need, in McClelland’s framework, is exactly this: a desire to exert influence, direct people, and oversee group activities, often valuing status and formal authority within a structured hierarchy.

Think of it as motivation toward leadership roles and control within an organization. By contrast, the achievement need focuses on solving challenging tasks and attaining measurable success, the affiliation need centers on forming friendly, harmonious relationships, and the autonomy need emphasizes independence and working without direct supervision. In a criminal justice context, someone high in power need would be drawn to supervisory or command roles where they shape group actions and enforce hierarchical order.