Emotional expression in failure: a new hypothesis.

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Abstract
70 college students, divided into experimental and control groups, were asked twice to draw a human face, using pencil, eraser, and a sheet containing a faintly drawn and incomplete outline of a face. Between drawings the experimental group was frustrated with a series of unsolvable matchstick problems. Specific changes in drawing expression which accompanied failure were studied by means of qualitative analysis followed by ratings. To explain the changes in graphic expression 2 hypotheses were derived: "(1) Covering up, or self-concealment insulates the person against the powerfield of the thwarter; (2) Apathy, or depressed psychological functioning, reduces emotional tension and lessens awareness of the implications of failure. Sensitivity to potentially disruptive stimuli, both internal and external, is reduced." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

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