Theoretical aspects of goal-setting and motivation in rehabilitation

The purpose of this article is to provide rehabilitation theorists and researchers with an introduction to some key theories of goals and motivation from the field of social cognition and to argue for increased dialogue between the two disciplines.

The use of goals and goal-setting in rehabilitation is briefly surveyed and the somewhat ambivalent attitude toward the concept of motivation in the rehabilitation literature is highlighted. Three major contributors to the study of goals and motivation from the field of social cognition are introduced and their work summarized. They include: (i) Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Model; (ii) Emmons' work on goals and personal strivings, and (iii) Karniol and Ross' discussion of temporal influences on goal-setting.

It is argued that there is a need for a greater emphasis upon theory development in rehabilitation research and that closer collaboration between researchers in rehabilitation and social psychology offers considerable promise. Instances where the three theories from social cognition might have relevance to clinical rehabilitation settings are described. Some possible directions for research are also briefly sketched.

Both rehabilitation and social cognition have much to gain from increased dialogue.