The Effects of Goal Origin and Implementation Intentions on Performance

• In Event: 52.085 - Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: 52.085-2 - Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 2

Abstract

While goals that are self-chosen by students increase feelings of autonomy and intrinsic motivation, it is not easy to pursue such goals without putting them off. The purpose of this study was to investigate ways to increase students' commitment to self-set goals. We hypothesized that implementation intentions would make self-set goals more effective by preventing the shifting/delay of goals and allowing the experience of autonomy to yield benefits without the costs. The results of the study revealed a significant interaction effect between goal origin and implementation intentions, indicating that implementation intentions increased participants' performance especially for self-set goals. Findings of the study suggest that the positive effects of self-set goals are greater when the goals are combined with implementation intentions.

Authors

• Eunjin Seo, The University of Texas - Austin

• Erika Alisha Patall, The University of Texas - Austin

• Rebecca Rose Steingut, The University of Texas - Austin

• Marlone Henderson, University of Texas At Austin