Abstract
Teevan and Smith (1975) demonstrated that statements of level of aspiration set by subjects fearing failure were better understood as representing a range of aspirations. The region between the lower and upper boundaries was termed a confirming interval. The present study hypothesized that this interval narrowed with experience, that subjects were affectively indifferent to scores located within the interval, and that subjects scoring within the interval set more realistic levels of aspiration. 45 male high-school students were asked to comment on their expected performance on an electronically operated rifle range. After their performance, the students completed an affect scale designed to describe their feelings in respect of their performance. All hypotheses were confirmed.
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