The use of computerized behavioural tests in personality research: The assessment of persistence.

The Use of Computerized Behavioural Tests in Personality Research: The Asse ssment of Persistence. The purpose of the Pavlov System is to measure subje ct's persistence, as an interactive style of behaviour. Persistence is defi ned as a behavioural pattern in which the subject displays a sequence of re sponses seeking for a solution, in spite of a low reinforcement rate. In th is article, previous works over Pavlov System are presented, and actual des ign is described. The Pavlov System uses an operant learning task; the subj ect's goal is to escape computer monitor flashes, by pressing two keys an e stablished number of times. In Pavlov System discriminative trials (ED) and non discriminative trials (E-Delta) can be presented in two different mode s: E-D and E-Delta trials appear alternatively or all E-D trials are presen ted first, and then all E-Delta trials. The pattern of behaviour of 64 subj ects is compared in both modes, and a high and significant correlation is o btained. The analysis of datas displays the possibility to develop a conduc tual tool to the assessment of persistence, as an interactive style.