THE EFFECTS OF GOAL AND FEEDBACK MATCH ON CHOICE, SATISFACTION, AND PERFORMANCE (GOAL SETTING, CONTROL SYSTEMS MODEL, SPECIFICITY)

CAROL LOUISE MCCLELLAND, Purdue University

Abstract

A review of the literature revealed that the control systems model of motivation is theoretically more consistent with the research on goal setting than the traditional view of goal setting. Therefore, the control systems model of motivation, which is based on the idea that individuals reach and maintain their goals by comparing their current (feedback) and desired (goals) levels of performance, was used as a framework for this research. If individuals are to make accurate estimates of their performance, they must be able to make meaningful comparisons of their feedback and goals. The proposal was made that the degree to which goals and feedback can be meaningfully compared may depend on how well the pieces of information match in terms of content and specificity. Three studies were designed to test several hypotheses that were derived from the control systems model. The hypotheses stated that subjects would choose the kind of feedback (Study 1) or the kind of goal (Study 2) that matched the information they were given and that subjects would be more satisfied with the information they were given when their goals and feedback matched. Although the original analyses did not reveal any support for these hypotheses, some of the alternative explanations for the lack of results seemed to be viable. The research also indicated that the control systems model, as it is currently defined, may only be useful in limited situations. Modifications should be made such that the model could be applied in general goal setting situations.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Occupational psychology

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