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.

Elderly adults (N=72) were presented a concept problem which varied as a function of type of solution shift and stimulus materials. Both trials to criterion and postshift error patterns were analyzed. Results indicated stimulus materials affected postshift performance and the elderly do respond in a dimensional fashion under some circumstances.…

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…

This study indicates that a period of positive prior contact between a child subject and an adult experimenter may result in a relative decrease in performance for material reward dispensed by that adult experimenter. (Authors)

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…

Two experiments were designed to detect frustration phenomena hitherto only observed in subhuman animals, frustration being defined as the omission of the response item after a correct anticipation in a partial reinforcement schedule. (Authors)

These results suggest that, for the purpose of measuring children's incidental learning, materials with integrated components such as color and shape are functionally different from stimuli with spatially independent components. (Authors)

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 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)