An experimental study of the role of the ego in work. II. The significance of task-orientation in work.

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Abstract
Twelve subjects in each of two groups in experiments I and IA were instructed so as to induce respectively task-oriented and ego-oriented attitudes in their performance of 18 assigned tasks (see 18: 2739). The ratio between the average number of interrupted to completed tasks was 1.74 and .625 for I and IA respectively. Thus, when the person is ego-oriented, recall favors the completed (ego-enhancing, 'success') tasks. When the S worked jointly with another person (experiment II), the ratio of interrupted to completed tasks was 1.50, showing that interrupted tasks are better recalled in co-operative as well as in isolated work. In experiment III, 23 Ss working alone at the same tasks as above were interrupted by E who completed the task while S watched. The ratio of interrupted to completed tasks was 1.20, indicating that completion of a task by another person (objective completion) may be as satisfactory as personal completion, even when the person is working alone. This depends upon task-orientation and upon the nature of the task. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

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