This study investigated the moderating effects of previously conditioned, stable behavior characteristics on subsequent behavior resulting from a different set of reinforcement contingencies. The college students, who were the study subjects, were required to perform the task of solving anagrams under various modes of conditioning moderated by their previous conditioning related to internal-external expectancies. Due to the relatively short conditioning period, it was predicted that the existing expectancy set of subjects would assume major importance in performance, with feedback acting to confirm or disconfirm that expectancy set. Results supported the moderator status of subject locus of control and sex in performance situations that were dependent upon previously acquired skills and especially associated with past reinforcement. External locus of control subjects were seen as more conditionable but as valuing reinforcement to a lesser degree than internals. (Author/PC)