A closer look at level of aspiration as a training procedure: A reanalysis of Fryer's data

Abstract

On the basis of a study of Morse Code learning, Fryer claimed support for his hypothesis that having Ss set levels of aspiration would lead to a higher performance level than giving knowledge of score alone. The present writer reanalyzed Fryer's data to test the hypothesis that the superiority of the level-of-aspiration procedure would depend upon the level at which the goals were set. In 3 of 4 comparisons it was found that Ss who set high goals performed better than Ss who set low goals and better than Ss given knowledge of score alone. There were no significant differences between Ss who set low goals and Ss given knowledge of score alone. A qualification of Fryer's hypothesis, taking account of these facts, was therefore proposed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)