Success, failure, and self-other orientations

The experiment investigated the effects of success and failure experiences on Ss' subsequent ratings in a symbols task measure designed to examine perceptions of self-other orientations. Sixty male and female adolescents were assigned to success, failure, or control experiences on three achievement tasks ostensibly testing intellectual ability. Posttest minus pretest changes were assessed on variables of self-esteem, social interest, egocentricity, power, and individuation as measured in the symbols tasks, and analyses of variance results were examined for differences among Ss in the success, failure, and control conditions. As hypothesized, Ss in the success condition made significantly more positive changes in self-perceptions of esteem, social interest, and power relative to failure and control Ss. Implications of the findings were discussed for social psychologists and clinicians interested in personality assessment and social functioning.