The Achievement Motivation in Students: The Role of Basic Psychological Needs and Critical Thinking

This study examines the relationship between basic psychological needs, critical thinking, and motivation for achievement among students in Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Unit, in the academic year 2021-2022. The research method is descriptive of the correlation type, and data was collected using The Hermans Achievement Motivation Questionnaire, Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Questionnaire, and Guardia et al. Basic Psychological Needs Questionnaire. Results reveal a positive and significant relationship between achievement motivation and basic psychological needs, as well as critical thinking in the dimension of identifying assumptions. However, no significant relationship was found between achievement motivation and other dimensions of critical thinking. Basic psychological needs and identifying assumptions were found to account for 39 percent of the variance of achievement motivation. These findings suggest that basic psychological needs and critical thinking in the dimension of identifying assumptions play an important role in motivation for achievement among students.