Primary Desires:
1. Power: To influence others, be in charge, and make an impact.
2. Curiosity: To learn, explore, and understand.
3. Acceptance: To be liked, loved, and accepted by others.
4. Order: To have things organized, structured, and predictable.
5. Saving: To be frugal, accumulate resources, and avoid waste.
6. Honor: To be ethical, honest, and upright.
7. Idealism: To strive for justice, equality, and a better world.
8. Social Contact: To be with others, be part of a group, and interact socially.
9. Family: To have a close-knit family and nurture loved ones.
10. Status: To be recognized, respected, and admired by others.
11. Revenge: To seek retribution for wrongs done to oneself.
12. Romance: To experience passionate love and intimacy.
13. Food: To enjoy the taste of food and experience culinary delights.
14. Physical Activity: To be physically active, engage in sports, and enjoy physical challenges.
15. Tranquility: To be relaxed, peaceful, and free from stress.
16. Security: To feel safe, protected, and free from danger.
Key Features of the Reiss Motivation Profile:
* Hierarchical: The 16 desires are arranged hierarchically, with some desires being more important than others for each individual.
* Biologically based: The theory posits that these desires are rooted in our biology and have evolved over time.
* Universal: The 16 desires are believed to be universal, applying to all people regardless of culture or background.
* Stable: The desires are considered relatively stable over time, although their strength may vary depending on life experiences.
How Reiss Tested His Theory:
Reiss developed a self-report questionnaire to measure the strength of each of the 16 desires. He then tested his theory by correlating scores on the questionnaire with a variety of other measures, such as career choices, relationship satisfaction, and happiness.
Applications of the Reiss Motivation Profile:
The Reiss Motivation Profile has been applied in a variety of contexts, including:
* Career counseling: Identifying individual strengths and motivations to help people find fulfilling careers.
* Relationship counseling: Understanding the motivations of individuals in relationships to improve communication and compatibility.
* Personal development: Identifying and addressing core desires to improve overall well-being and happiness.
It's important to note that the Reiss Motivation Profile has been criticized for its lack of empirical support and its reliance on self-report data. However, it remains a popular and widely used tool for understanding human motivation.
