Attribution Versus Normal Persuasion in the Acquisition of Aquatic Skills by Mentally Retarded Adults

Authors

  • Francis A McQuire
  • Ann James

Keywords:

Motivation, Mental Retardation, Attribution, Persuasion

Abstract

The effectiveness of a verbal attribution message versus a normal verbal persuasion message in improving the swimming skills of mentally retarded adults was examined in this study. The subjects were participants at a two week residential camp. Individuals in the verbal attribution group (n = 20) were given messages ascribing success in the activity to their efforts. The normal persuasion (n = 17) group received messages urging their continued involvement in swimming without any indication of achievement. The control group (n = 14) did not receive any planned messages. The results indicated that significantly more individuals in the normal persuasion group improved in swimming than in either of the other groups.

Published

1988-04-01

Issue

Section

Regular Papers