Abstract
Despite much theoretical discussion, relatively little research has examined the motivational effects of proximal goal-setting, and existing findings are inconsistent. This experiment examines the effects of proximal subgoals on perceived self-efficacy, self-evaluative reactions to performance, and task persistence. Subjects performed a complex problem-solving task under conditions involving either no subgoal, an attainable subgoal, or an unattainable subgoal. The self-regulatory processes were assessed prior to and during performance. Setting a subgoal boosted initial perceived self-efficacy. Attaining the proximal goal increased self-efficacy perceptions, self-satisfaction with performance, and subsequent task persistence. Changes in perceived self-efficacy mediated the effects of subgoal attainment on behavior.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atkinson, J. W., & Birch, D. (1970).The dynamics of action. New York: Wiley.
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change.Psychological Review, 84, 191–215.
Bandura, A. (1982). Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency.American Psychologist, 37, 122–147.
Bandura, A. (1986).Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Bandura, A. (1989). Self-regulation of motivation and action through internal standards and goal systems. In L. A. Pervin (Ed.),Goal concepts in personality and social psychology (pp. 19–85). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum
Bandura, A., & Cervone, D. (1983). Self-evaluative and self-efficacy mechanisms governing the motivational effects of goal systems.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45, 1017–1028.
Bandura, A., & Cervone, D. (1986). Differential engagement of self-reactive influences in cognitive motivation.Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 38, 92–113.
Bandura, A., & Schunk, D. H. (1981). Cultivating competence, self-efficacy and intrinsic interest through proximal self-motivation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 586–598.
Bandura, A., & Simon, K. M (1977). The role of proximal intentions in the self-regulation of refractory behavior.Cognitive Therapy and Research, 1, 177–193.
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182.
Betz, N. E., & Hackett, G. (1981). The relationship of career-related self-efficacy expectations to perceived career options in college men and women.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 28, 399–410.
Betz, N. E., & Hackett, G. (1986). Applications of self-efficacy theory to understanding career choice behavior.Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 4, 279–289.
Brown, I., Jr., & Inouye, D. K. (1978). Learned helplessness through modeling: The role of perceived similarity in competence.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36, 900–908.
Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (1982). Control theory: A useful conceptual framework for personality-social, clinical, and health psychology.Psychological Bulletin, 92, 111–135.
Cervone, D. (1989). Effects of envisioning future activities on self-efficacy judgments and motivation: An availability heuristic interpretation.Cognitive Therapy and Research, 13, 247–261.
Cervone, D., Jiwani, N., & Wood, R. (1989, August).Goal-setting and the differential influence of self-regulatory processes on complex decision-making performance. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans.
Cervone, D., & Peake, P. K. (1986). Anchoring efficacy, and action: The influence of judgmental heuristics on self-efficacy judgments and behavior.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 492–501.
Cohen, J., & Cohen, P. (1983).Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Dubbert, P. M., & Wilson, G. T. (1984). Goal-setting and spouse involvement in the treatment of obesity.Behavior Research and Therapy, 22, 227–242.
Humphreys, M. S., & Revelle, W. (1984). Personality, motivation, and performance: A theory of the relationship between individual differences and information processing.Psychological Review, 91, 153–184.
Judd, C. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1981). Process analysis: Estimating mediation in treatment evaluations.Evaluation Review, 5, 602–619.
Kanfer, F. H., & Grimm, L. (1978). Freedom of choice and behavioral change.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46, 873–878.
Kirschenbaum, D. S. (1985). Proximity and specificity of planning: A position paper.Cognitive Therapy and Research, 9, 489–506.
Kirschenbaum, D. S., Humphrey, L. L., & Malett, S. D. (1981). Specificity of planning in adult self-control: An applied investigation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 40, 941–950.
Kirschenbaum, D. S. Malett, S. D., Humphrey, L. L., & Tomarken, A. J. (1982). Specificity of planning and the maintenance of adult self-control: One-year follow-up of a study improvement program.Behavior Therapy, 13, 232–240.
Kirschenbaum, D. S., Tomarken, A. J., & Ordman, A. M. (1982). Specificity of planning and choice applied to adult self-control.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 576–585.
Locke, E. A., & Bryan, J. F. (1967). Performance goals as determinants of level of performance and boredom.Journal of Applied Psychology, 51, 120–130.
Locke, E. A., Cartledge, N., & Knerr, C. S. (1970). Studies of the relationship between satisfaction, goal setting, and performance.Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 5, 135–158.
Locke, E. A., Frederick, E., Lee, C., & Bobko, P. (1984). Effect of self-efficacy, goals, and task strategies on task performance.Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 241–251.
Manderlink, G., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (1984). Proximal versus distal goal setting and intrinsic motivation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47, 918–928.
Rosenthal, R., & Rosnow, R. L. (1985).Contrast analysis: Focused comparisons in the analysis of variance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Simon, H. A. & Reed, S. (1976). Modelling strategy shifts in a problem-solving task.Cognitive Psychology, 8, 86–97.
Spivack, G., Platt., J. J., & Shure, M. B. (1976).The problem-solving approach to adjustment. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Taylor, M. S., Locke, E. A., Lee, C., & Gist, M. E. (1984). Type A behavior and faculty research productivity: What are the mechanisms?Organization Behavior and Human Performance, 34, 402–418.
Thomas, J. C., Jr. (1974). An analysis of behavior in the hobbits-orcs problem.Cognitive Psychology, 6, 257–269.
Weinberg, R. S., Gould, D., & Jackson, A. (1979). Expectations and performance: An empirical test of Bandura's self-efficacy theory.Journal of Sport Psychology, 1, 320–331.
Wood, R. E., & Bandura, A. (1989). Impact of conceptions of ability on self-regulatory mechanisms and complex decision-making.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 407–415.
Wood, R. E., Bandura, A., & Bailey, T. (1990). Mechanisms governing organizational productivity in complex decision-making environments.Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 46.
Wood, R. E., Mento, A. J., & Locke, E. A. (1987). Task complexity as a moderator of goal effects: A meta-analysis.Journal of Applied Psychology, 72, 416–425.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by Grant MH44956 from the National Institute of Mental Health to Daniel Cervone. This work was part of Jennifer Stock's master's thesis at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Larry Grimm and Mitch Rabinowitz are thanked for their suggestions and comments on the research.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Stock, J., Cervone, D. Proximal goal-setting and self-regulatory processes. Cogn Ther Res 14, 483–498 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172969
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172969