Pinder (2008) describes goal-setting theory as “the most powerful and useful model of motivated work behavior extant” (p. 389). Therefore, understanding the principal tenets of this theoretical framework is essential in your future role as an organizational psychology professional. Understanding the relationship between motivational mechanisms and designing achievable goals is fundamental to the practical application of this theoretical model.
Goal setting is common among organizations. However, predicting success in attaining goals can present challenges because there are many factors that can influence goal attainment. Think about factors that might be considered when attempting to explain entirely different results for two workers with nearly identical skills and training. What accounts for one worker’s success and another’s failure in meeting a desired goal?
For this Discussion, select at least two factors that might influence successful attainment of goals by employees. Then think about how assigning goals has been used effectively or ineffectively in your current or previous job.
Note: If you have never worked, think about how assigning goals has been used effectively or ineffectively in your academic studies.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3
Post by Day 3 a brief description of the factors you selected. Then explain how each might influence the successful attainment of goals by employees. Finally, explain how assigning goals has been used effectively or ineffectively in your current or previous job. Support your response with references to goal-setting theory, the Learning Resources, and current literature. APA Format.
Note: If you have never worked, explain how assigning goals has been used effectively or ineffectively in your academic studies. Support your response with references to goal-setting theory, the Learning Resources, and current literature.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.
Resources
Locke, E., & Latham, G. P. (2006). New directions in goal-setting theory. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(5), 265–268.
Fried, Y., & Slowik, L. H. (2004). Enriching goal setting theory with time: An integrated approach. Academy of Management Review, 29(3), 404–422.
Answer preview
Framing might influence the successful attainment of goals by altering how employees view a goal. According to Locke and Latham (2006), employees made to view a goal as a challenge succeeds than those made to view it as a threat. This is because framing a goal as a challenge focuses on using employee’s efforts to attain success rather than failure. This means organizations that appraise assigned goals as challenges achieve higher success than those who appraise them as threats. On the other hand, the time factor might influence the successful attainment of goals through deadlines. According to Fried and Slowik (2004), deadlines serve as control tools by defining the required time intervals. When the deadline is closer, employees work faster and might attain success in assigned goals. However, further shortening of the deadlines might inhibit the successful attainment due to ineffective performance. As Kaftan et al. (2018) note, time influences goal pursuit and focus since it controls the execution process. Therefore, time and how a goal is appraised influences employee’s motivation.
