ABSTRACT
A relatively uniform distribution of judgments represents a social norm which can function as a substitute for physical reality. The hypothetical cognitive-validation need, then, is satisfied through social means, and the social motivation is strongly affected by cognitive factors. The outcome —in terms of conformity—appeared to depend upon the relative strength of the reality-matching tendency and the social motivations involved. Despite the results, which are consistent with a validation hypothesis in the area of abilities, social motivations cannot be decisively eliminated as determinants of competitive coalition formation. An experiment by Dreyer, A. dealt with the question of how long a subject continues to set levels of aspiration as a function of the discrepancy between his performance and that of a reference group of peers. One important measure of interpersonal attraction is the degree to which individuals seek the company of others. A number of experiments have attempted to isolate the determinants of such affiliation tendencies.
