THE EFFECTS OF VALENCES AND EXPECTANCIES ON GOAL CHOICE AND GOAL-RELATED BEHAVIORS (GOAL SETTING, MOTIVATION, ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR)

CAROL FIFE MOORE, Purdue University

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to test an extension of a model developed by Campion and Lord (1982) which described the cognitive and motivational processes associated with goal setting. More specifically the study attempted to define those circumstances which would cause an individual to abandon or decrease goals rather than exerting additional effort or modifying behavior in order to meet a set goal. Subjects were 149 students who set goals related to scores on weekly exams. Participants provided information regarding expectancies of attaining goals, the value of goal achievement, and changes in goal-related behaviors. Effort was also measured behaviorally, by monitoring class attendance. It was hypothesized that if students did not meet their goals, their expectancies of goal achievement would drop, and they would decrease their goals unless the valence (or value) associated with the goal was very high. In that case, it was expected that subjects would change behaviors and effort levels in an attempt to meet goals, despite low expectancies. These hypotheses were not supported. Subjects appeared to set goals based on past performance, regardless of the expectancies and valences associated with goal attainment. In addition, students seemed to set immediate test goals based on long-term class grade goals, again without regard to expectancies or valences. Behavioral change and effort levels were not consistently related to goal levels, expectancies, or valences. A number of possible explanations are offered for the absence of hypothesized relations among variables.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Occupational psychology

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