Relationship between Achievement Motivation and Personality among Pre and Post Independence Malaysian Malays

Malaysia has undergone a lot of changes politically, socially and economically following its independence. The vast improvements in its physical developments as well as the educational and economic levels of the people contribute to the overall standard of living achieved by the country thus far. With all these developments in the country one may possibly expect some psychological changes among its people, particularly in the aspects of motivation and personality. Thus, this study ascertains the relationship between achievement motivation and personality of pre-independence and post-independence Malaysian Malays. A total of 552 Malay respondents participated in this study. 261 respondents were born before 1957 and 291 after 1957. Two instruments are used; Cassidy and Lynn Achievement Motivation Scale (CLAMS) and NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). The results show a significant relationship between achievement motivation and neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience and conscientiousness for the pre-independence Malaysian Malays and for the post-independence Malaysian Malays. There are significant relationships between achievement motivation and all personality types except for extraversion.