Categorical goal hierarchies and classification of human motives Frank W. Wicker, Frank B. Lambert, Frank C. Richardson, and Joseph Kahler, The University of Texas at Austin Abstract To explore a structural approacb to motivation based on hierarchies of goal inclusion, 231 subjects in two studies rated the valence of 46 or 56 general goals, and ratings were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis and factor analysis. Factors over all subjects were labeled Interpersonal Concem, Competitive Ambition,, Exploration-play,, Balanceei Success, Economic Status, and Intellectual Orientation. Cluster analyses produced corresponding clus- ters, as well as Security, Personal Growth, Transpersemal Orientation, and Tranquility Seeking, arranged in hierarchies of class inclusion, culminating in a broad goal dichotomy described as Indivieitial Striving vs. Harmony Seeking. The paper explicates a type of hierarchical interdependency among motives which supplements interdependencies implied by motivation theo- ries, and suggests an alternative to the assumption of some fixed number of "basic" motives. It gives descriptive data on very broad motivation categories which influence self-reports of goal importance and which relate to prior classifications of motivation, personality, and social behavior. In the study of motivation, as of emotion, it is difficult to achieve consensus or clarity about underlying dimensions or overall struc- ture. Consider, for example, the question of how many basic needs or wants we must postulate to understand human motivation. The number implied by motivation theories would seem to vary widely. Murray (1938) described over 28 psychogenic and 13 viscerogenic needs, McDougall at one time (1933) proposed 18 "innate propen- sities" of a motivational character, Cattell (1957) discussed 16 "ergs," and Madsen (1961) suggested that 16 motives were sufficient to capture the important distinctions in Murray's list. On the other hand, Maslow (1970) proposed a hierarchy of only five kinds of needs, Forgus and Sbulman (1979) discussed four systems, and Freud Requests for reprints should be addressed to Frank W. Wicker, Department of Educational Psychology, Education Building 504, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712. Joumal ofpersonality 52:3, September 1984. Gopyright © 1984 by Duke University Press. GGG 0022-3506/84/$ 1..50