Persistence at a difficult task with alternative task of intermediate difficulty.

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Abstract
60 male Ss were tested individually for persistence at an insoluble task presented to them as very difficult. They experienced repeated failure at the task but could turn to a similar task described as intermediate in difficulty whenever they wished. Differences in persistence at the initial task were examined between Ss high in n Achievement and low in Test Anxiety (HL) and Ss low in n Achievement and high in Test Anxiety (LH). Results show that: (a) persistence is positively related to initail estimates of probability of success (P-sub(s)) at the task for HL Ss (p <.005) but there is no relationship between persistence and initial estimates of P-sub(s) for LH Ss; (b) estimates of P-sub(s) tend to rise initially and then to fall following repeated failure (p <.05); (c) Ss who persisted at the initial task show a later preference for that task (p <.05). Results are discussed in terms of the "motive-expectancy-value" model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

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