Effects of Experienced Success or Failure on Self-Esteem and Problem-Solving Ability
The effects of experienced success or failure on self-esteem and problem-solving ability were studied. 54 female subjects aged 18 to 22 yr. were tested. Two manipulative tasks were performed on pairs in which both either experienced success, failure, or in mixed pairs where one experienced success and the other failure. After the manipulation of success or failure each subject was asked to complete an amended version of the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory. The subjects were then asked to solve 10 five-letter anagrams following a 14253 pattern. Two 2 × 2 factorial analyses of variance were performed on self-esteem scores and anagram performance. The main effects of success and failure were significant, successful subjects had high self-esteem and solved more anagrams than subjects who failed. No interaction between subjects' success and partners' success occurred. Expectancies about performance, cognitive dissonance, and social comparison processes are discussed.