n Achievement, Decision Making, Orientations, and Work Values of Fast and Slow Progressing Farmers in India

Psychological variables that differentiate fast and slow progressing farmers are studied with particular emphasis on the work of McClelland. Sixteen different sociopsychological variables were reliably measured on 51 pairs of fast and slow progressing brothers. Three analyses were done: (a) comparison of fast and slow progressing groups, (b) comparison of extreme fast and slow progressing groups, (c) correlation of the measured variables with growth in agricultural productivity. Results showed that high scores on attitude toward earning, preference for activity, pride in work, upward striving, cautious decision making, and lack of interest in maintaining personal relations were associated with progressive farm behavior; low scores on these variables were associated with static or declining farm success. However, the results failed to support McClelland's hypothesis that achievement motivation is in part responsible for economic growth.