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Make it too Difficult and I’ll Give-Up; Let me Succeed and I’ll Excel: The Interaction between Assigned and Personal Goals

Author

Listed:
  • James Fan

    (Naval Postgraduate School, Graduate School of Business and Public Policy)

  • Joaquín Gómez-Miñambres

    (Lafayette College, Department of Economics
    Economic Science Institute, Chapman University)

  • Samuel Smithers

    (University of Leicester, Department of Economics)

Abstract

We examine the motivational effects of setting both assigned and personal nonbinding 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.

Suggested Citation

  • James Fan & Joaquín Gómez-Miñambres & Samuel Smithers, 2019. "Make it too Difficult and I’ll Give-Up; Let me Succeed and I’ll Excel: The Interaction between Assigned and Personal Goals," Working Papers 19-23, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chu:wpaper:19-23
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    File URL: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/esi_working_papers/283/
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    Cited by:

    1. Nafziger, Julia & Kaiser, Jonas P. & Koch, Alexander K, 2021. "Self-Set Goals Are Effective Self-Regulation Tools -- Despite Goal Revision," CEPR Discussion Papers 15716, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • M50 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - General
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights

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