Can regulatory fit improve performance? Effect of types of regulatory fit and performance

Abstract

According to the regulatory fit theory (Higgins, 2000), when people engage in goal pursuit in a manner that fits their orientation (e.g., promotion/eager or prevention/vigilance), they experience regulatory fit and engage more strongly in the pursuit, leading to better outcomes. The present research investigated the influence of regulatory fit on performance by considering the type of performance (speed or accuracy) and the kind of regulatory fit (promotion/eager, or prevention/vigilance). In Study 1, 85 university students were induced to hold a promotion or prevention orientation. In Study 2, 90 university students were assessed for individual differences in regulatory orientation. The results indicated that speed performance was best when there was promotion/eager regulatory fit, whereas accuracy performance was best when there was prevention/vigilance regulatory fit. These findings suggest that the performance effects of regulatory fit are not identical, but differ according to the types of regulatory fit.