SELF-ENHANCING EFFECT OF SOCIAL FEEDBACK ON COGNITIVE TASK-PERFORMANCE

The influence of feedback on the cognitive task performance of individ uals with high and low self-esteem was assessed (Coopersmith Self-Este em Inventory, Form A). A median split technique segregated each group (30 adults with mental retardation and 30 MA-matched controls) into hi gh and low self-esteem individuals. All subjects performed two memory tasks (easy, difficult) but were randomly assigned to only one of thre e feedback conditions (social, computer, and no feedback). Findings in dicated that social feedback can alter the normally positive relation between self-esteem and cognitive task performance.