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Step by step: Sub-goals as a source of motivation

Author

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  • Huang, Szu-chi
  • Jin, Liyin
  • Zhang, Ying

Abstract

The present research explores the shifting impact of sub-goals on human motivation as individuals move closer to goal attainment, and attributes this shift to the changing source of motivation at different time points during the goal pursuit. In four lab and field experiments, we employed contexts such as exercising, business reviews, and work-for-pay jobs, and performed both within-subject and between-subject tests. We found that when individuals are initiating a goal and derive motivation primarily from the belief that the final goal state is attainable, the structure of sub-goals enhances the sense of attainability and therefore leads to greater motivation. Conversely, when people are completing a goal and the source of motivation centers primarily on the perception that their actions are of value, a focus on the overall goal (rather than sub-goals) heightens the perceived value of the goal-directed actions and leads to greater motivation.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Szu-chi & Jin, Liyin & Zhang, Ying, 2017. "Step by step: Sub-goals as a source of motivation," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1-15.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:141:y:2017:i:c:p:1-15
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2017.05.001
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    Cited by:

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    2. Stamatogiannakis, Antonios & Chattopadhyay, Amitava & Chakravarti, Dipankar, 2018. "Attainment versus maintenance goals: Perceived difficulty and impact on goal choice," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 17-34.
    3. Ozcan, Timucin & Hair, Michael & Gunasti, Kunter, 2024. "How reaching numerical roundness on subgoals affects the completion of superordinate goals," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
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    5. Dai, Hengchen, 2018. "A double-edged sword: How and why resetting performance metrics affects motivation and performance," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 12-29.
    6. Jin, Liyin & Xu, Qian & Wang, Yajin & Zhang, Ying, 2021. "The divergent impact of reward magnitude on goal eagerness and effort investment," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 101-113.

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