Abstract
This study examined the relation between goal setting and self-efficacy and self-evaluation of interpersonal performance. Twelve dysphoric, 12 socially anxious, and 12 normal undergraduate women participated in videotaped interactions with normal female partners. Measures of goal setting and self-efficacy were obtained prior to the interactions and each member of the dyad evaluated her performance, as well as her partner's performance, immediately after the interaction. Objective observers also rated each partner's performance. The groups did not differ in personal goals or evaluations of their own performance. Observer ratings did not indicate differences in social competence among the three groups. When self-efficacy was considered, dysphoric and socially anxious subjects had larger discrepancies between their goals and efficacy ratings than normal subjects. Although dysphoric and socially anxious individuals did not set perfectionistic goals, they did set higher goals than they believed they could achieve.
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This paper is based on a master's thesis by the second author, done under the direction of the first author. We would like to thank the following individuals for their help in conducting the study: William Chaplin, Samuel Green, and Philip Lewis. The following individuals provided valuable feedback on a previous draft of this paper: Anthony Ahrens, Lynn Alden, Robert Arkin, William Chaplin, Zindel Segal, and two anonymous reviewers. Jacky Aron is now at Advanced Health Care, San Diego, California.
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Doerfler, L.A., Aron, J. Relationship of goal setting, self-efficacy, and self-evaluation in dysphoric and socially anxious women. Cogn Ther Res 19, 725–738 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02227863
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02227863