Goal Setting Theory
Overview & Description:
Goal Setting Theory posits that specific and challenging goals, accompanied by appropriate feedback, lead to higher performance. The act of setting a defined goal helps to guide behavior and focus effort.
Key Points:
- Specificity: Clear and specific goals lead to better outcomes than vague or general goals.
- Feedback: Regular feedback regarding progress toward the goal enhances performance.
- Task Complexity: The complexity of the task can influence the effectiveness of goal setting, with more complex tasks requiring more intricate goal structures and feedback processes.
Implications:
- Organizational Productivity: Employers and managers can use goal setting to enhance performance and productivity.
- Personal Development: Individuals can employ goal setting in their personal lives to achieve desired outcomes in areas like fitness, education, or personal projects.
References:
- Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American psychologist, 57(9), 705.