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Predicting subsequent task performance from goal motivation and goal failure
Laura C Healy1, Nikos Ntoumanis2, Brandon D Stewart3
1Department of Physical Education and Sports Studies, Newman University Birmingham, UK.
Frontiers in Psychology
|July 21, 2015
Summary
Unfulfilled goals can disrupt unrelated tasks. This study found that neither autonomous nor controlled motivation influenced how athletes responded to goal failure during a cycling trial.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sports Science
- Self-Regulation
Background:
- Unfulfilled goals can persistently interfere with cognitive functions and task performance.
- Self-regulation and goal-striving theories provide frameworks for understanding goal pursuit dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of goal failure on subsequent cognitive and physical performance in athletes.
- To examine whether autonomous or controlled motivation moderates responses to goal failure.
Main Methods:
- Athletes completed a cycling trial with a specific distance goal within 8 minutes.
- Motivation was primed using a video, and performance feedback manipulated to create success or failure conditions.
- Subsequent cognitive and physical task performance was assessed.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in responses to goal failure based on primed motivation (autonomous vs. controlled).
- Performance feedback conditions (success vs. failure) did not alter the impact of goal failure on subsequent tasks.
- The study did not find a moderating effect of motivation type on responses to goal failure.
Conclusions:
- Goal failure's impact on subsequent performance may not be moderated by autonomous or controlled motivation in this context.
- Further research is recommended to explore effective strategies for managing goal failure.
- Understanding how individuals cope with unfulfilled goals is crucial for optimizing performance and well-being.
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