Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
12:09
Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
Making New Year's Resolutions that Stick: Exploring how Superordinate and Subordinate Goals Motivate Goal Pursuit
Bettina Höchli1, Adrian Brügger1, Claude Messner1
1Department of Consumer Behavior, Institute of Marketing and Management, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Applied Psychology. Health and Well-Being
|June 25, 2019
Summary
Combining superordinate and subordinate goals boosts effort in goal pursuit, aiding long-term resolution success. This strategy enhances motivation, helping individuals achieve their New Year
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- New Year's resolutions often fail despite intentions.
- Previous research indicates subordinate goals positively impact goal pursuit.
- Combining superordinate and subordinate goals may enhance long-term achievement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a dual focus on superordinate and subordinate goals improves resolution success.
- To determine the impact of goal structuring on effort and intention in goal pursuit.
Main Methods:
- A 2x2 between-subjects design with 256 participants.
- Participants formulated resolutions with varying combinations of superordinate and subordinate goals.
- Measured effort in goal pursuit and intentions for future pursuit after 3 months.
Main Results:
- Focusing on both superordinate and subordinate goals significantly increased effort.
- A notable difference in effort was observed between the dual-goal group and the superordinate-goal-only group.
- No conclusive findings on intentions for further goal pursuit or underlying mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Combining superordinate and subordinate goals appears to be a promising strategy for long-term goal attainment.
- Preliminary insights suggest this dual-goal approach can enhance effort in pursuing resolutions.
- Further research is needed to explore intentions and the processes involved.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
04:49Robbers Cave
During the 1950s, the landmark Robbers Cave experiment demonstrated that when groups must compete with one another, intergroup conflict, hostility, and even violence may result. At the Oklahoman summer camp, two troops of boys—termed the Rattlers and the Eagles—took part in a week-long tournament. During this time, their negativity culminated in derogatory name-calling, fistfights, and even vandalism and destruction of property. However, this work also revealed that such tension could be...
01:27Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation
Power motivation and achievement motivation are two essential social motives identified by psychologist David McClelland. These motives influence behavior in various personal and professional contexts, shaping how individuals interact with others and pursue their goals.
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
01:21Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation
Affiliation motivation is the intrinsic desire to connect with others and belong to a social group, which plays a crucial role in forming and maintaining personal relationships. This type of motivation is essential for psychological well-being, as it provides individuals with a sense of community and support. An example of this is a student who joins a study group in order to feel a sense of connection. People with high affiliation motivation actively seek social approval, take satisfaction in...
01:27Drive-Reduction Theory: Push Theory of Motivation
Clark Hull's drive-reduction theory, introduced in the 1940s and 1950s and often termed the "push theory" of motivation, provides a framework for understanding how biological and learned drives influence behavior. Hull suggested that motivation originates from the need to alleviate physiological tension caused by unmet biological necessities. The theory proposes that when a basic need, such as hunger or sleep, goes unfulfilled, it creates an internal imbalance. This imbalance, or drive, pushes...
01:30Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...