Date of Award
12-1984
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Wayne Harrison
Second Advisor
Dennis Doverspike
Third Advisor
Jim Thomas
Abstract
Previous research has strongly supported Locke's theory of goal-setting: given specific, difficult, accepted goals with proper feedback, individual performance w ill improve relative to others not given a goal. A possible exception to this theory might be the setting of goals that conflict or require widely different strategies for task completion. The present study employed a 2 x 2 factorial design (presence/absence of a quantity and a quality goal) to investigate the impact of conflicting goals on task performance. Results showed that assigned, conflicting goals do not provide an exception to the goal-setting/performance relationship since significan t main effects were found for both goals. Thus, the theory of goal-setting as proposed by Locke was supported.
Recommended Citation
Whitenak, Daniel P., "The impact of assigned, conflicting goals on task performance" (1984). Student Work. 176.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork/176
Comments
A Thesis Presented to the Department of Psychology and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha.