Retarded adult's discrete work performance in a sheltered workshop as a function of overall productivity and motivation.

Production times of high and low retarded adults in a sheltered workshop were analyzed in terms of actual time working as opposed to actual time not working and under conditions of standard and high motivation. Under standard conditions, low productivity was primarily the result of more time spent not working. High motivation attenuated this effect. The results were discussed in terms of cognitive vs. motivational interpretations of individual differences in work performance.