Knowledge of performance as an incentive in repetitive industrial work

Abstract

Assessed the purely motivational effects of knowledge of performance in a repetitive industrial task. Ss were low paid workers with 1-5 yr. experience on the job. The experimental task was to grind a metallic piece to a special size and shape. Experimental conditions were imposed 1 wk. before starting the experiment. The workers adjusted readily since the experimental conditions did not interfere with the work. 18 male workers were divided randomly into 3 groups. Group A Ss received no information about their output; Group B Ss were allowed a rough estimate of their output; Group C Ss were given accurate information about their output and could check it further by referring to a figure displayed before them. Results showed increased output with increases in degree of knowledge of performance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)