Effects of Induced Frustration upon Performance on the Rosenzweig P-F Study

Abstract

The perceived locus of control of induced frustration was varied and its effects upon college males' performance on the P-F Study was investigated. 30 male students in introductory psychology were assigned in equal numbers to an external frustration, an internal frustration, and a control condition. Subjects in the external frustration condition were given an explanation for poor performance to lead them to perceive their frustration as caused by chance. In contrast, subjects in the internal frustration condition were left with the impression that they alone were responsible for their poor performance. The frustrated groups subsequently were administered the P-F Study. The control group participated only in taking the P-F Study. The hypothesis that the externally frustrated group would give more extrapunitive, ego-defensive responses than the control group was confirmed. Partial support was found for the hypothesis that the internally frustrated group would give more intropunitive, ego-defensive responses than subjects not internally frustrated. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of frustration on direction of aggression; it is also suggested that the findings may be relevant to the revised learned helplessness model of depression.