This study is from a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree at the Institute for Child Study, University of Maryland.

A study was designed to test the effects of the presence of age-mates on the preacademic performance of socially unresponsive, disadvantaged preschool children. Each of four low performing male subjects was confronted with three high performing male and three low performing male peers. Of the peers in each of the two performance groups, one was…

The effect of externally-mediated goal setting on intrinsic motivation was examined using a laboratory assembly task. College male subjects (N=80) were randomly assigned in a factorial design including two conditions of goal setting (assigned vs. no goals) and two conditions of initial task interest (interesting vs. boring task). The results show…

In a variable distance 10-trial ringtoss, it was found that success required that a subject exceed his expected score. Therefore, the probability of success was the probability of exceeding the expected score on the 10 throws (Ps10); and this is shown to be different from the probability of scoring a ringer in a single throw (Ps1) from the same…

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 paper provides a review of goal theory as articulated by Edwin Locke. The theory is evaluated in terms of laboratory and field research and its practical usefulnes is explored as a means to improving individual productivity in "real world" organizations Research findings provide support for some goal theory propositions but suggest…

Implication of findings for classical maturation theories of the development of reaction speed are discussed. (Author/MB)

Longitudinal relationships, between two measures of both job performance and job satisfaction over a three-year period, were investigated for 1,352 airmen in eight enlisted Air Force occupational specialties. Cross-lagged panel correlation analyses were compared to conclusions based on an extended multiple linear regression analysis technique.…

The study investigates the relative efficacy of self-monitored and externally imposed reinforcement in intrinsically motivated and extrinsically motivated children, grades two through five. Results show the importance of individual differences in children's dispositions to respond to incentive conditions. (JH)

To merge the reinforcement and competition approaches and to test the relative efficacy of reward structures, group vs individual rewarding was paired with three amounts of monetary reward for performance. The math performance of college females was consistent with the differential rewarding hypotheses, whereas males were consistent with a…

Primary purpose of the experiment was to assess the effect of motivation, as manipulated by videotaping the experimental session, upon concept attainment. (Authors)

A longitudinal study was carried out to explore the causal relationship among satisfaction, performance, and several reward types. The major findings support "interpersonal rewards" as a further link of satisfaction and performance; the results failed to support either the human relations model (satisfaction causing performance) or the reverse…