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Kendra's Psychology Blog

By Kendra Van Wagner, About.com Guide to Psychology since 2005

Murray's Theory of Psychogenic Needs

Tuesday August 19, 2008
According to psychologist Henry Murray (1893-1988), personality is organized based upon a number of needs, motives and environmental forces. Among the needs identified by Murray are those for achievement, intimacy and power. Since Murray first proposed his theory, a number of other psychologists have studied these individual needs. For example, research on the need for achievement has demonstrated that people with a high need to achieve tend to take on greater challenges. Learn more about Murray's theory of psychogenic needs.

Comments

November 7, 2008 at 11:47 am
(1) Nan says:

Thanks for the valuable information. I am working at developing a human resource pool. A great variety of people that have a great variety of contributions to make in the life of a child.
These breakdown of needs will be of great assistance in defining all the ways people can contribute and make a difference.

November 7, 2008 at 12:58 pm
(2) Kendra says:

Thanks for your comment. Sounds like a great project you’re working on. Good luck!

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