The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of rewards and level of aspiration with children classified by a behavior problem checklist. Forty-five junior high age, potential dropout students were classified according to deviant classroom behaviors. They were then tested in several different levels of aspiration and reward treatment combinations. Results showed no differences between classifications of students and no hypothesized differences in the differential effectiveness of level of aspiration and reward for the types of students. The results also showed that setting a high level of aspiration had a significant positive effect.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BryanJ. F., &LockeE. A.Goal getting as a means of increasing motivation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1967, 51, 274–277. (a)
2.
BryanJ. F., &LockeE. A.Parkinson's law as a goal setting phenomenon. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 1967, 2, 258–275. (b)
3.
CromwellR. L.A social learning approach to mental retardation. In EllisN. (Ed.), Handbook of mental deficiency. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1963. Pp. 41–91.
4.
EysenckH. J.The dynamics of anxiety and hysteria. New York: Praeger, 1957.
5.
FeldtL. S.A comparison of the precision of three experimental designs employing a concomitant variable. Psychometrika, 1958, 23 (4), 335–353.
6.
FryerF.An evaluation of aspiration as a training procedure. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall, 1964.
7.
GeakeR., &SmithD.Visual tracking: A self-instruction workbook for perceptual skills in reading. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ann Arbor Publishers, 1966.
8.
LevittE. E.The results of psychotherapy with children. An evaluation. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1957, 21, 189–196.
9.
LewisW. W.Continuity and intervention in emotional disturbance: A review. Exceptional Children, 1965, 31, 465–475.
10.
LockeE. A.A closer look at level of aspiration as a training procedure: A reanalysis of Fryer's data. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1966, 50, 417–420. (a)
11.
LockeE. A.The relationship of intentions to level of performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1966, 50, 60–66. (b)
12.
LockeE. A., &BryanJ. F.The effects of goal-setting, rule-learning and knowledge of score on performance. American Journal of Psychology, 1966, 79, 451–457. (a)
13.
LockeE. A., &BryanJ. F.Cognitive aspects of psychomotor performance: The effects of performance goals on level of performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1966, 50, 286–291. (b)
14.
LockeE. A., BryanJ. F., &KendallL. M.Goals and intentions as mediators of the effects of monetary incentives on behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1968, 52, 104–121.
15.
QuayH. C.Psychopathic personality as pathological stimulation seeking. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1965, 122, 180–183.
16.
QuayH. C.Dimensions of problem behavior in children and their interaction in the approaches in behavior modification. Kansas Studies, 1966, 16, 6–13.
17.
QuayH. C.Dimensions of problem behavior and educational programming. In P. S. Graubard (Ed.), Education of the disturbed and delinquent chUd. New York: Follett, 1968.
18.
RosenthalR.The effect of the experimenter on the results of psychological research. In MaherB.A. (Ed.), Progress in experimental personality research. Vol. 1. New York: Academic Press, 1967.
19.
RubinE. Z., SimpsonC. B., &BetweeM. C.Emotionally handicapped children in the elementary school. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1966.
20.
SkrzypekG. J.The effect of perceptual isolation and arousal on anxiety, complexity preference, and novelty preference in psychopathic and neurotic delinquents. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Illinois, 1967.
21.
SpivakG., &SwiftM.The Devereaux Elementary School behavior rating scales: A study of the nature and organization of achievement related disturbed classroom behavior. Journal of Special Education, 1967, 1, 71–90.
22.
WinerB. J.Statistical principles in experimental design. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1962.
