An evaluation of the effect of induced tension on performance.

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Abstract
Recall of paired associates was studied as a function of both temporal conditions of induced muscular tension and time between learning and recall. Performance data were obtained for 4 groups, ten subjects in each, which differed according to whether tension was induced during learning, recall, both learning and recall, or neither learning nor recall. Time intervals between the learning and the recall trials were 0. 30, 60, 120 or 240 sec. Results indicate that tension facilitates response elicitation but does not alter habit strength. Recall performance is no better if learning takes place under tension than if learning takes place under no tension, provided enough time is allowed for relaxation. On the other hand, recall under tension is consistently better than recall under no tension. The results are in accord with the concept of tension as a drive.

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