Implicit motive configurations as complements to dimensions: a comparative analysis using latent profile analysis and the operant motive test

Abstract Research in motivational psychology has long been interested in implicit motives –– affectively charged preferences for classes of stimuli related to power, achievement, and affiliation. However, the existing literature on implicit motives has predominantly focused on variable-centered approaches. This study extended the literature by employing a person-centered approach. Specifically, we utilized Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) on data from the Operant Motives Test (OMT; Kuhl et al. in Diagnostik von motivation und selbstkonzept 129–149, 1999). Our analysis revealed eight distinct implicit motive configurations. Among them, we found configurations we expected: Relaxed Agency, Avoidant-Dependent, Intimacy Seekers, High-Flow, and Stressed Agency. We tested the incremental validity of these configurations beyond dimensional implicit motives for the prediction of interpersonal relationship satisfaction, depressiveness, and self-criticism. The Relaxed Agency and Intimacy Seekers were positively related to interpersonal relationship satisfaction. The Stressed Agency and Avoidant-Dependent were positively related to depressiveness. The Relaxed Agency was negatively related to self-criticism, while Avoidant-Dependent was positively related to it. Our results show that implicit motive configurations contribute to outcomes beyond dimensional implicit motives. We discussed the implications of our findings, including those related to the other discovered configurations.