Atkinson's theory of achievement motivation is in the second chapter of Educational Psychology. Atkinson's achievement motivation theory is regarded as an expectation theory, because it thinks that the level of motivation depends on a person's evaluation of the purpose and the possibility of achieving it. Atkinson attaches importance to the role of conflict, especially the conflict between achievement motivation and fear of failure.

The characteristic of this theory is that it can be explained in quantitative form. Atkinson believes that the initial motivation of high achievement comes from the family or cultural group in which children live, especially the influence of education and training in early childhood.

Personal achievement motivation can be divided into two parts: one is the intention to strive for success; The second is the intention to avoid failure. In other words, achievement motivation involves the emotional conflict between the expectation of success and the fear of failure.