Research article summary (published 30 May 2003):

Missing the mark: effects of time and causal attributions on goal revision in response to goal-performance discrepancies.

Full Abstract

In an attempt to extend past goal setting research, the present study examined the influence of goal-performance discrepancies (GPDs), causal attributions, and temporal factors on the process of dynamic self-regulation. Goal revision processes were examined longitudinally in a sample of 100 varsity-level college track and field athletes over the course of an 8-week competitive season. The results indicate that an individual's GPD significantly predicted the amount of goal revision engaged in by the athletes, such that participants were more likely to lower their competition (proximal) and season (distal) goals when they failed to reach these goals and their respective GPDs were large. However, as hypothesized, this relationship was moderated by stability attributions and the temporal location of the individual with respect to the time period allotted for goal attainment. Implications for future research in the area of goal setting and dynamic self-regulation are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Donovan, John J (JJ); Williams, Kevin J (KJ);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0436, USA. donovan(-atsign-)vt.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of applied psychology (J Appl Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jun; vol 88 (issue 3) : pp 379-90

Dates: Created 2003/06/19; Completed 2003/07/28; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12814288, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Cognition Female Goals Humans

Male Questionnaires Self Efficacy Social Control, Informal Social Perception Time Factors

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