Motivational and cognitive predictors of goal setting and task performance

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of various motivational and cognitive factors on goal setting and task performance. A slightly unconventional approach was taken by using a neuropsychological experiment as a starting point and subsequently building on its results and implications from a motivational perspective. The results suggested that different sets of motivational and cognitive factors predict different outcomes. Goal level seemed to be a function of both task-related abilities and motivational beliefs. In contrast, no robust effects on performance level were found. However, subjects who tended to hold beliefs that action outcomes are determined by chance were also likely to display atypical goal setting (i.e., a tendency to raise goals after failure and lower goals after success). © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.