Simple Motor Performance under Positive and Negative Approval Motivation

Abstract

40 male college students (10 high need-for-approval and 10 low need-for-approval Ss after positive approval conditions, and 10 high need-for-approval and 10 low need-for-approval Ss after negative approval conditions) completed 5 60-sec. trials on the pursuit rotor. High need-for-approval Ss, regardless of conditions, showed a significantly higher rate of performance than did low need-for-approval Ss. Low need-for-approval Ss showed some effect of positive and negative conditions but this difference did not reach significance. Indications for further research with regard to methodological problems of assessing performance, the stability of the need for approval and pursuit rotor performance relationship over extended practice and the investigation of the relationship of need for approval and pursuit rotor performance of female Ss were suggested.