Which concept is characterized by a fear of failure in achievement motivation?

The concept characterized by a fear of failure in achievement motivation is performance anxiety. Performance anxiety refers to the distress or apprehension individuals experience when facing the possibility of not meeting their own or others' expectations, particularly in achievement-oriented tasks. This anxiety often stems from a strong desire to succeed and can hinder a person’s performance due to overthinking or fear of negative evaluation.

Self-efficacy involves a person's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations, and while it may influence how one feels about taking on challenges, it does not directly relate to the fear of failing. Similarly, nAch, or need for achievement, is a psychological construct that describes an individual's desire to excel and achieve, but it does not inherently include the fear of failure aspect. Achievement motivation is a broader term that encompasses various factors driving individuals to reach goals; it includes both the desire to succeed and the accompanying fears or anxieties that may arise, but it is not as specific as performance anxiety in addressing the fear itself.

Thus, performance anxiety is the most accurate term linked closely with the fear of failure within the achievement motivation context.