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Ability, motivation, and speed

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Abstract

The relations between ability, motivation, and speed in a mental task are represented by a psychometric surface. Ability of a subject is defined as the degree of difficulty for which the probability is 1/2 that he will complete the task in infinite time. Motivation affects the rate at which mental work is done, but not the altitude of performance. Suggestions towards experimental work are made.

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Thurstone, L.L. Ability, motivation, and speed. Psychometrika 2, 249–254 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02287896

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02287896

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