The Effect on Children’s Performance of a Discrepancy between Adult Expectancy and Feedback Statements

Abstract

Ninety-six high-achieving fourth-graders performed a memory task before which either positive or negative expectancy statements were made by an adult and after which either positive or negative feedback statements were given. The resulting dissonant or consonant expectancy-feedback combinations were delivered over a four-day period. Results indicated that for high IQ children, performance was higher for those given discrepant rather than consonant combinations of expectancy-feedback statements. However, for low IQ children, performance was higher when given negative rather than positive feedback regardless of expectancy. The results are discussed in light of an uncertainty theory of motivation and arousal.

Notes

1. Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr. Ellen Gagne, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.