EFFECT OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EVALUATIONS ON PERSEVERANCE ON A SIMPLE TASK

Abstract

tions. The theoretical implications of these results are discussed. Prior to the studies by Wyer and Bednar (1967) and Wyer (1968), no studies had examined the relationship between prior success and failure on the subsequent tendency to persevere on a task. The Wyer studies indicated that previous failure on a difficult task led to more perseverance than success, while previous success on an easy task led to more perseverance than prior failure. These results are exactly opposite to the predictions derived from Atkinson's (1957) theory of achievement motivacion, but they are consistent with interpretation in terms of exchange theory (cf. Wyer, 1968). This latter interpretation deals explicitly with persistence to completion of a task once individuals have begun a task, while Atkinson's theory deals with both completion of tasks and selection of tasks. It is possible that the results predicted by Atkinson's theory may occur in a situation in which an individual is given an explicit option of continuing on the same or a new task after an experience of success or failure (selection of task). This prediction can be derived from Atkinson's theory for individuals whose motivation to achieve is grater than their tendency to avoid failure. For such individuals the incentive value of success and its probability are inversely related. Their over-all motivation to perform a particular task is hypothesized to be a multiplicative function of the probability of success on that task and the incentive value of such success. This reasoning leads to the conclusion that