Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-2019
Abstract
We examine the motivational effects of setting both assigned and personal non-binding goals on a real effort laboratory experiment. In order to derive conjectures for our experiment, we develop a model with goal-dependent preferences. In line with previous studies, we find that goal setting leads to a higher performance. We also find that goal-setting is most effective if subjects were able to achieve previous goals. Therefore, in goal setting, “success breeds success”. In particular, we observe that when subjects are initially allowed to attain assigned goals, they are better at self-motivating in the future when performing under personal goals.
Recommended Citation
Fan, J., Gómez-Miñambres, J., & Smithers, S. (2019). Make it too difficult and I’ll give-up; Let me succeed and I’ll excel: The interaction between assigned and personal goals. ESI Working Paper 19-23. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/esi_working_papers/283/
Comments
ESI Working Paper 19-23
This paper was later published as:
Fan, J., Gómez-Miñambres, J., & Smithers, S. (2020). Make it too difficult and I’ll give-up; Let me succeed and I’ll excel: The interaction between assigned and personal goals. Managerial and Decision Economics. https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3151