TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR POSITIVE EMPLOYEE STIMULATION, A STUDY WAS MADE OF MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS AMONG ATTENDANTS AT INSTITUTIONS FOR MENTAL RETARDATES. ATTENDANTS AT SUCH INSTITUTIONS ARE SUBJECTED TO A GREATER AMOUNT OF CULTURE SHOCK AND SOCIAL DEPRIVATION THAN OTHER EMPLOYEES. OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME THIS CAUSES A DETERIORATION OF ATTENDANTS' ATTITUDES, ESPECIALLY TOWARD MORE SERIOUSLY RETARDED PATIENTS. A SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR IMPROVED NEED-SATISFACTION OF ATTENDANTS AND CONSEQUENT IMPROVED WELFARE OF PATIENTS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS--(1) STUDY OR TEACHING SABBATICALS FOR ATTENDANTS, (2) JOB ROTATION WITHIN THE INSTITUTION FOR ATTENDANTS, (3) ASSISTANCE FROM PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE CONSULTANTS IN TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ATTENDANTS, (4) A TRAINING AND OBSERVATION WARD FOR ATTENDANT LEARNING, (5) SEMIANNUAL CONFERENCES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND STAFF PERSONNEL, AND (6) A GIFT-OF-THE-MONTH PROGRAM, FROM ATTENDANT TO RETARDATE, ALLOWING ATTENDANT TO ASSUME ROLE OF PARENT, AND PATIENT TO RETAIN POSITIVE MEMORY OF GIFT GIVER. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON MENTAL DEFICIENCY (90TH, CHICAGO, MAY 1966). (PP)