The book by David McClelland, one of the leading American psychologists, examines in detail the four most important social needs: success, affiliation, power and avoidance. The author skillfully describes a large number of original experiments in which the revival of one or another motivational disposition is provoked, and proves the universality of the method developed by him and his colleagues for detecting these hidden needs. The book is of great theoretical and practical interest. The publication is intended for psychologists, psychophysiologists, teachers, as well as for students of university faculties of psychological and pedagogical profiles.