This experiment assessed the effects of (a) appropriate, random, and no reinforcement; and (b) stress (St) vs reassurance (Re) instructions in a learning situation on anxiety reduction and induction as measured by the Test Anxiety Questionnaire. The results, from a sample of 54 university students, showed no anxiety reduction or induction due to reinforcement conditions but did show anxiety reduction for the Re group and anxiety induction for the St group. The former results indicate that anxiety reduction and induction are not associated with another reinforcing stimulus. However, the latter results support the theory relating motivating instructions and test anxiety to learning.
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