A personality needs profile of some outstanding female athletes

The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) was administered to 24 outstanding U.S. female athletes who were competitors in the 1972 Olympic Games. The resulting EPPS group profile strongly points to the essential normality of these competitors. Within the framework of a well-balanced needs profile, the two highest group needs scores were in the realm of achievement and autonomy. Thus, these prominent athletes demonstrated the kind of personality profile anticipated from a group of women with seemingly high needs for achievement and self-accomplishment. The EPPS, therefore, appears to be a promising personality measure to assess achievement motivation.