Abstract
The purpose of this study was to help in the process of exam-ining the theory of motivation proposed in The Dynamics of Action (Atkinson & Birch, 1970), to clarify certain theoretical issues, and to aid in the formulation of experimental research strategies. Computer simulation was used so that a variety of experimental paradigms could be investigated in a highly condensed time period. Results of this study were very encouraging. First, they showed that the theory could be simulated. The simulation brought out several theoretical is-sues which were examined and resolved. An experiment in progress was simulated and as a result some changes in procedure were suggested. Certain behavioral patterns, following from the theory, were also found in the simulation. It is con-cluded that (a) computer simulation can be a highly valuable tool in theory build-ing and testing, (b) the theory for which the simulation was undertaken implies certain identifiable behavioral patterns, and (c) simulation can aid in the design of experiments to test theoretical issues.
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