This paper, presented at the American Educational Research Association, Washington, D.C., April 1975, replicates Horner's (1968) study of the motive to avoid success (M-s) on fifty-through eleventh-grade males (N=169) and females (N=168). Sex and grade differences were found in the specific reasons given for avoiding success. (Author)

A study of college women's achievement behavior provides partial evidence that objective fear-of-success scales tap actual avoidance tendencies characteristic of traditionally feminine women, while the Thematic Apperception Test reflects, at most, ambivalence over success which may be equally characteristic of high achieving, nontraditional, and…

Potential sources of antifemale bias in Thematic Apperception Test stimuli were evaluated. (Author/DEP)

The study was designed to investigate perception of conflict and outcome across women's roles. A variation of the Thematic Apperception Test was used. Results suggest educated adult women perceive the worker role as the least problematic. (Author)

A substantial portion of what has been interpreted as "fear of success" imagery of the Thematic Apperception Test is argued to involve anxiety about engaging in achievement activities traditionally considered to be inappropriate to one's sex role. (Author/JKS)

Male and female college undergraduates were classified according to Marcia's identity statuses (achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and diffusion). Sex differences related to identity status, and relationship of identity status to achievement need, fear of success, fear of failure, and self esteem were also discussed. (CP)

The competitive definition of success has fostered the popular notion that women are afraid to succeed. Recent research suggests that this anxiety is generated by the climate of competition, not success itself. Rather than training women to compete, the institutions and values that define success should be restructured. (Author/SK)