Younger (N=31) and older (N=21) men participated in a bogus convergent-thinking task in which they rated their effort expenditure after experiencing varying degrees of success. As predicted, results indicated younger, but not older men perceived they tried harder when they succeeded relative to when they failed. (Author)

Two experiments were designed to test Kukla's cognitive theory of task performance, based on intended effort. Experiment I was designed to determine if success feedback leads to an overall increase in performance level and differential asymptotic performance for those high and low in achievement motivation. Experiment 2 was aimed at determining if…

This study attempted to determine the functional components of rehearsal strategies in children's discrimination learning. When a discrimination list was given without rehearsal instructions, ability to discriminate situational frequencies predicted performance. Without rehearsal strategy, subjects' ability to discriminate between previous usage…

A cognitive explanation of achievement-related behavior is developed. It is suggested that high and low achievers diverge behaviorally in the achievement situation because they conceptualize the causes of success and failure in different ways. The results of a study are presented which show that subjects high in achievement needs tend to attribute…

After presenting the attributional model, this paper reviews research on individual differences in beliefs about causes of success and failure. Studies illustrating differential performance on achievement-related tasks by individuals who differ in their attributions are reviewed. Causal perceptions of success and failure should be considered, in…

This paper conjectures about motivational, behavioral, and contextual factors in the transferability of vocational skills--factors which will influence performance when and if movement into or across jobs occurs. It is assumed that skill transfer depends upon similarity within and among motivational, contextual, and behavioral factors, referred to…

Discussion of right brain versus left brain skills focuses on a study that compared the performances of computer science students, professional programers, and bank employees on eight tests of brain function. Results are reported which suggest that the cognitive profile may be an important indicator for success in certain occupations. (16…

Employing a cognitive/motivational analysis, a study was undertaken to determine some specific self-perceptions that might contribute to motivational and performance deficits observed in children with reading difficulties. A total of 72 children of relatively good, average, and poor reading ability were assessed on tasks in which success and…