Performance expectancy and satisfaction were investigated in terms of the rate of change in performance outcomes. In a two-by-two factorial design, the direction (improving or deteriorating) and rate (accelerating or decelerating) of change in performance were manipulated using false feedback in a computerized math game. In accord with performance…

TWO SWITCH-LIGHT PROBLEMS WERE USED TO INVESTIGATE THREE VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE PROBLEM-SOLVING PERFORMANCE--(1) THE NUMBER OF DISTRACTING RESPONSE ALTERNATIVES, (2) THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE RESPONSE ALTERNATIVES, AND (3) THE NUMBER OF MINIMALLY REQUIRED RESPONSES. IN THE PROBLEMS USED, THE SUBJECT ATTEMPTED TO ACHIEVE A PARTICULAR PATTERN OF…

THE EFFECT OF ANXIETY ON COGNITIVE PROCESS HAS BEEN AN AREA OF EXTENSIVE RESEARCH. CONSIDERABLE EVIDENCE HAS INDICATED THAT HIGH ANXIOUS SUBJECTS ARE INFERIOR TO LOW ANXIOUS SUBJECTS ON COMPLEX COGNITIVE TASKS. ANOTHER FACTOR WHICH MAY INFLUENCE THE EFFECTS OF ANXIETY IS THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A TASK IS PRESENTED. RECENT RESEARCH HAS SUGGESTED…

AN EXPERIMENT WAS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SUCH VARIABLES AS TYPE OF MATERIAL, NUMBER OF RELEVANT ATTRIBUTES, AND PERFORMANCE OF A PERSON ATTAINING CONCEPTS. CONCEPT ATTAINMENT BOARDS OF THE BRUNER (1956) TYPE WERE USED, AND VARIOUS PARAMETERS CONTAINED IN THE BOARDS WERE MANIPULATED. THE NUMBER OF RELEVANT AND…

The impact of false information concerning the effect of the menstrual cycle on test performance and subjects' perception of the adequacy of that performance were investigated. Women (N=65) were studied either during the premenstrual or midcycle phase. Subjects were given one of three interpretations: (1) they should do well because of their…

The hypothesis that success influences task preferences was tested. Results supported the hypothesis: the probability of change in task preference was greatest under high success reinforcement ratio conditions. (Author)

Subjects (N=80) made expectancy of success statements in a dart throwing task under two conditions. Significant differences between criterion groups were obtained, with success statements remaining constant across difficulty levels in the relative criterion condition while declining rapidly as a function of task difficulty in the absolute…

The Ss who had given more Human Movement (M) responses to an inkblot test were found to be more responsive than Ss who had given less M responses to changes in procedures and directions which altered the interest value of the task. This effect was primarily found for the female sample. (Author)

The influence of empathy on observers' attributions for an outcome achieved by an actor was examined as well as self-presentational strategies when observers either expected to assume the actor's role later (Role-Playing). On videotape, observer-subjects (N=160) watched an actor succeed or fail at an interpersonal influence task, after being given…