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Related Experiment Videos

Goal contagion: perceiving is for pursuing.

Henk Aarts1, Peter M Gollwitzer, Ran R Hassin

  • 1Department of Social and Organization Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. h.aarts@fss.uu.nl

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|July 15, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Individuals automatically adopt goals suggested by others' behavior, a phenomenon known as goal contagion. This automatic goal pursuit is influenced by goal strength and appropriateness but is inhibited by perceived unattractiveness of the observed behavior.

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Area of Science:

  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • The goal contagion hypothesis suggests automatic goal adoption based on observed behavior.
  • Understanding automatic goal pursuit is crucial in social and cognitive psychology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To empirically test the goal contagion hypothesis.
  • To investigate the characteristics and boundaries of automatic goal adoption.

Main Methods:

  • Six studies exposed participants to behavioral cues implying specific goals.
  • Participants' subsequent goal-directed behaviors were measured in novel contexts.
  • Variations in goal strength, appropriateness, and perceived attractiveness of the observed behavior were manipulated.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Goal contagion was established, demonstrating goal-directedness in adopted behaviors (strength, appropriateness, persistence).
  • Automatic goal adoption was significantly reduced when the observed goal pursuit was perceived as unacceptable or unattractive.
  • Findings support the automaticity of goal pursuit, with contextual factors modulating the process.

    • Conclusions:

    • Observed behaviors can automatically trigger goal adoption in individuals.
    • The perceived acceptability and attractiveness of goal pursuit moderate the goal contagion effect.
    • This research contributes to the understanding of automaticity in social cognition and behavior.