McClelland’s human-motivational-needs theory was used as a theoretical framework for
the study. In this theory, McClelland believed people are motivated by needs of achievement,
power, and affiliation (as cited in Mind Tools, 2013). McClelland generalized that the need to achieve drives a person to be successful. In this need, a person is not afraid to take risk to
achieve goals, insist on being provided with consistent input about accomplishments, and prefers
to pursue endeavors alone. The need for power motivates a person to impact the lives of others
by being in a leadership role: having a desire to have the last word, winning a competition is very
important, and the person strives to be the center of attention. The need to affiliate is based on
one’s desire to belong and feel important to others; this person feels the need to be a part of the
group, agrees with members of the group in order to be liked, focuses less on competition but
more on interacting with others, and prefers to be sure of things and not take risks. This study
might demonstrate how McClelland’s human-motivational theory helps reveal factors that
influence AA male principal’s academic achievement and success.