The impact of career ambition on psychologists’ extrinsic and intrinsic career success: The less they want, the more they get
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Date
2017
Authors
Otto, Kathleen
Roe, Robert
Sobiraj, Sonja
Mabunda Baluku, Martin
Garrido Vásquez, Mauricio E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Career Development International
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between career ambition – defined as
high achievement motivation and strong career orientation – and both extrinsic (salary, position) and intrinsic
success ( job satisfaction, goal attainment) of psychologists. Over and above this, the authors explore whether
extrinsic success predicts intrinsic success or vice versa.
Design/methodology/approach – In order to analyze the impact of career ambition on extrinsic and intrinsic
success, the authors conducted two online studies with psychology graduates – a cross-sectional study (Study 1;
n¼119) and a longitudinal one (Study 2; n¼63; two-three years interval between assessment points). The authors
applied regression and cross-lagged analyses to investigate the interplay of career ambition and career success.
Findings – The results show that career ambition impacts on both extrinsic and intrinsic success. More
specifically, extrinsic success was positively predicted by career orientation in Study 1. In contrast, achievement
motivation was negatively related to intrinsic success (Study 1) and even diminished it over time (Study 2).
Findings of the cross-lagged analysis further underlined that intrinsic success predicts extrinsic success.
Originality/value – The study contributes by separately investigating two aspects of career ambition and
showing their different effects on career success in the specific profession of psychologists. As cross-lagged
findings revealed that psychologists’ intrinsic success predicted their extrinsic success and not vice versa, the
authors discuss whether psychologists might be worsening their career development in the long run by
showing high achievement motivation.
Description
Keywords
Psychologists, Career success, Achievement motivation, Career ambition, Career orientation
Citation
Otto, K., Roe, R., Sobiraj, S., Baluku, M. M., & Vásquez, M. E. G. (2017). The impact of career ambition on psychologists’ extrinsic and intrinsic career success: The less they want, the more they get. Career Development International. DOI 10.1108/CDI-06-2016-0093