REISS

MOTIVATION
PROFILE
WHO WE ARE
NEW WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT PEOPLE







By Professor Steven Reiss, Ph.D

09/04/2013 Reiss Motivation Profile (Summary) | Psychology Today
www.psychologytoday.com/blog/who-we-are/201304/reiss-motivation-profile-summary 1/2
We have put forth 7 fundamental principles of motivation
Measurement ReIiabiIity. We have constructed a reliable and valid
measure, called the Reiss Motivation Profile, of what motivates a person
over the age of 12. We have awarded a grant to the University of New
Orleans to finish the development of a child version of the RMP.
Translation Aces of New York City has professionally executed the back
translations for most European languages and some Asian languages.
We have added a confirmation (fake) scale to support business
applications of the RMP.
VaIidity. n peer-reviewed studies, independent colleagues or our group
demonstrated that the results of the Reiss Motivation Profile predict real-
life behavior, including career choices, sports participation, religious
participation, etc., and the outcomes of related psychological tests, such
as the Big 5, Myers Briggs, and Anxiety Sensitivity ndex. The Judeo-
Christain conception of divine attributes is the greatest imaginable
expression of 12 of the 16 basic desires. All mass-appeal religions
appear to be designed to express the values associated with strong and
weak versions of the 16 human needs common to everyone and deeply
rooted in human nature.
AppIications. The Reiss Motivation Profile has been applied to
leadership training, conflict resolution, and marketing in business; to
schools to help underachieving students; for career consultation; in
relationship counseling to assess compatibility; in faith-based counseling;
in life coaching; in sports; and in health settings. To access the profile for
sports, go to www.iaimtowin.com for wellness, go to www.16desires.com
The websites list books and peer reviewed articles.



New ways of thinking about people
by Steven Reiss, Ph.D.
Reiss Motivation Profile (Summary)
16 basic desires make us individuals
Published on April 8, 2013 by Steven Reiss, Ph.D. in Who We Are
My colleagues and have been studying human needs and how they play out at work, home, and in
relationships. We have learned that we are individuals to a much greater extent than many
psychologists have realized. We have made significant progress in understanding individuality of
values and traits, and how these impact human relationships at work, school, athletic team, and
home. nstead of trying to change people to embrace our values, we help them become clear on who
they are, and how such is impacting their lives.
Here is a summary of where we are with our work.
Construct vaIidity. We have delineated 16 human needs, or basic desires. Although many lists of
needs have been suggested, none were scientifically derived. The 16 basic desires is the first list of
human needs based on what large numbers of people say motivates them. We have shown that all
psychologically important needs can be expressed as combinations of these 16. We have repeatedly
demonstrated construct validity with confirmatory factor studies. Our lists of 16 basic desires
suggests that the lists put forth by McDougall, Murray, and many others are about 50% valid.
Previous Post
Undermining ntrinsic
Motivation Without
Really Trying
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Steven Reiss is Emeritus Professor
of Psychology and Psychiatry at The
Ohio State University.
more...
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