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Experimental manipulation of the vacillating—persisting tendency
Author(s) -
Hyland Michael E.,
Coates David S.,
Curtis Chris,
Hancocks Matt,
Mean Lindsey,
Ogden Clare,
Sherry Richard
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8309.1988.tb00811.x
Subject(s) - persistence (discontinuity) , psychology , task (project management) , measure (data warehouse) , perception , cognitive psychology , social psychology , developmental psychology , computer science , geotechnical engineering , management , database , neuroscience , engineering , economics
This paper provides an analysis of the behavioural style of vacillation vs. persistence which underlies the concept of strength of will. Vacillation‐persistence was assumed to be associated with a phenomenological state called ‘self‐engagement’. In three experiments, manipulations of self‐engagement led to effects on a measure of task persistence, and results on a performance measure were systematically different from those on the task persistence measure. A fourth study showed task persistence to be correlated with post‐experimental reports of being excited by the task and doing the task in order to improve self‐perception. Alternative interpretations of these data based on intrinsic motivation theory are discussed.