Personality determinants of repressive and obsessive reactions to failure-stress.

The data from indices measuring the concepts of ego-strength, need for achievement, and hysteria were factor-analyzed. The analysis produced 5 orthogonal dimensions, viz., neuroticism, intellectual flexibility, extraversion, other-orientation, and perseverance for achievement. These factors were then correlated with performance in a task which involved the memory of a Zeigarnik-type failure-stress experience. The factor related to striving for achievement and quality of recall of the experience of failure were highly correlated, with high need achievers reacting "obsessively" and low need achievers, "repressively" (as defined in the report). The results are discussed re: the theoretical implications of this and previous research. 25 refs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)