Frustration Theory and Quality of Performance: Elicitation and Elimination of Competing Responses

Abstract

Within a Hull-Spence framework, an attempt is made to elucidate the implications of “frustration theory” regarding the quality of complex task performance. A distinction is made between the specific and nonspecific effects of frustration. Specific effects relate to the compatible or incompatible nature of the responses directly elicited by the stimulus properties of frustration. Nonspecific effects relate to the increase in the probability of occurrence of competing responses due to the general drive increase produced by frustration. It is proposed that the number and habit strengths of the competing responses will determine whether the motivational increase produced by frustration is beneficial or detrimental to performance. Further, the competing responses will produce more frustration which will raise the general drive level of the organism and increase the probability that more competing responses will occur. At the same time, the possibility exists that the association of the competing responses with a frustration reaction will cause them to acquire classically conditioned inhibitory properties leading to a decrease in the probability that those particular competing responses will occur again. Finally, the correct response could reduce the frustration produced by the competing responses and produce an increase in the probability of that response recurring.