Extreme Response Set, Drive Level and Abnormality in Questionnaire Rigidity

Abstract

In several recent experiments involving motor performance (1), learning (7), immediate recall (2), expressive movement (5) and confidence in performance (3), significant relationships with a questionnaire measure of rigidity have been obtained. In view of the fact that despite a considerable amount of work no general trait of rigidity has hitherto been recognized, it was decided to clarify the reasons for the above results. Two steps are undertaken. The first step, published separately, is concerned with a systematic analysis of the experimental variables which yielded significant correlations with rigidity. In a series of investigations, the attempt is made to discover the experimental conditions necessary for a significant interaction of rigidity with test responses to occur.