Level of Aspiration as a Function of Learning-Potential Status in the Educable Mentally Retarded

Abstract

2 groups of educable mental retardates (gainers and nongainers) were identified on the basis of their differential ability to profit from instruction on the Kohs Blocks. Their levels of aspiration were obtained for performances on verbal and nonverbal tasks following experimentally manipulated success and failure. Performance-discrepant levels of aspiration were more typical of nongainers than gainers, especially after failure. Compared with the gainers, the nongainers' scores were more affected on nonverbal than verbal tasks, and by the specific sequences of success and failure as used in the experiment. The results are consistent with previous findings relating level of aspiration to a history of failure and with an anchoring theory which suggests that the gainers' more realistic goal setting is dependent on wide experience with both success and failure.