The basic: theory of achievement motivation as developed by Atkinson is reviewed, and lhe implications of the incrliaUcndcncy postulate are examined. The classic theory of achievement motivation is found to be a special case of a more general theory relating lask difficulty and number of trials to performance. II is shown that the inertial-temlcncy postulate implies an asymmetric, curvilinear relationship between lask difficulty and effort, and that the degree of asymmetry is a function of the number of experimental trials and the consummatory value of failure. Experimental evidence previously viewed as contradicting the classic theory of achievement motivation is shown to be compatible with the general theory and to allow for estimation of the consummatory value of failure. Several predictions that allow for a direct test of the iiierlial-tcndency postulate are derived. The general theory of achievement motivation is suggested to be relevant to other theories concerned with the effects of success and failure on performance. We would like to thank J. VV. Alkinson for extensive and helpful criticism of an earlier draft of this manuscript. The comments of I'hilip Jirickmau are also appreciated. Requests for reprints should be sent to William

The present study predicted that high-hostile 5s would be more vigilant for violent or aggressive stimuli than low-hostile Ss. Forty 5s (20 males and 20 females) were divided at the median on the Buss-Durkee Inventory of Hostility, but were also found to differ significantly and inversely on an inhibition of aggression scale. Using the binocular rivalry technique, Ss were exposed to stereogram pairs of violent and nonviolent scenes for durations of ,5 second. High-hostile 5s perceived significantly more violence than low-hostile 5s. No significant sex difference was observed. Methodology and implications are briefly discussed.

Conducted this study to resolve inconsistencies in the literature with regard to the personality characteristics of male exhibitionists. Both exhibitionistic and non‐exhibitionistic criminal offenses as they relate to severity of psychopathology as measured by the MMPI in 84 exhibitionists were studied. An increase in psychopathology was not found to be associated with an increase in chronicity of exhibitionistic activity in exhibitionists. When exhibitionists who had been involved in other forms of illegal activity were considered alone, positive correlations were found between elevations on MMPI Psychopatic Deviate (PD) and Hypomania (MA) scales and an increase in both non‐exhibitionistic criminal behavior and total criminal involvement.

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