Date of Award

6-1992

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. William K. Redmon

Second Advisor

Dr. Jack Michael

Third Advisor

Dr. Richard Malott

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

A simulated work task, consisting of paper and pencil quality control inspection, was used to examine the effects of performance monitoring and performance-contingent feedback on the quality and quantity of work produced. Six subjects were exposed to two treatment conditions. During monitoring only, a supervisor checked performance by asking subjects about their progress. During performance-contingent feedback, a supervisor informed subjects of the number of correct inspections completed on a sample page and summarized the quality of their work in a brief statement. Performance was measured in terms of error detection accuracy (errors missed and false error detections) and rate of correct inspection responses (number correct per minute). The data indicated that monitoring alone had no consistent effect on performance relative to a no-supervision baseline, and that the addition of performance contingent feedback to monitoring improved accuracy and increased inspection rates for four of the six subjects. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the design of effective supervision programs.

Share

COinS