Hypothesized the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List (AD-ACL), a self-report test of transitory levels of activation, to have advantages over the MA scale as an indicant of drive in tests of predictions drawn from Hull-Spence theory. 2 groups of Ss tested in a low-threat group procedure learned different lists of paired associates designed to elicit 2 levels of response competition. Groups differentiated by MA scale scores did not confirm predictions drawn from Hull-Spence theory, while predictions were confirmed by groups differentiated by AD-ACL scores. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)