Goal Orientation and the March of Science Don Vandewalle Management & Organizations Department

1995 Presentation Exchange on Goal Orientation Audience Member Question: How would goal orientation influence my learning how to type properly (correct finger key match) on a computer keyboard? Presenter Response:It depends….(Why?)

Goal Orientation and Task Performance A learning goal orientation is the desire to develop the self by acquiring new skills, mastering new situations, and improving one’s competence. +Vandewalle et al. (1999) ΦPhillips & Gully (1997)  Bunderson & Sutcliffe (2003) A proving goal orientation is the desire to demonstrate competence and gain favorable judgments about it. +Hoover et al. (1999) -Ford et al. (1998) Φ Vandewalle et al. (1999) And avoiding goal orientation is the desire to avoid disproving of competency and avoid negative judgments about it. -Consistent grim news

Goal Orientation and Task Performance Why is there such variance in the relationship form of goal orientation and task performance?  Goal Orientation Conceptualization (see DeShon & Gillespie, 2005)  Goal Orientation Theoretical Model Testing and Research Design (our focus today).

Goal Orientation and Task Performance Consider the following: What is goal orientation? One’s characteristic goal preferences in achievement situations. Why is goal orientation important? Goal orientation influences how individuals experience, process, and respond to achievement situations. Common to both statements: A focus on achievement situations.

Goal Orientation (Circa 1980s) Learning Goal Orientation  Adaptive Response Pattern  Performance Performance Goal  Orientation Maladaptive Response Pattern  Performance  Children worked on a challenging task  Setbacks (negative feedback) were common  Response pattern often qualitatively observed

Goal Orientation (Circa 1990s) Goal Orientation Performance Direction (goal) Intensity Persistence Resource Allocation Self-motivation Learning Focus Learning Strategy Feedback Seeking Feedback Processing Self-development What key concept is missing from the model?

Goal Orientation (Opportunities) Why is this addition critical? Goal Orientation Performance Self-motivation Self-development Moderators Feedback

Back to Task Performance Relationships A learning goal orientation +Vandewalle et al. (1999) ΦPhillips & Gully (1997)  Bunderson & Sutcliffe (2003) A proving goal orientation +Hoover et al. (1999) -Ford et al. (1998) Φ Vandewalle et al. (1999)

Goal Orientation Model (Opportunities) Goal Orientation Performance Direction (goal) Intensity Persistence Resource Allocation Self-motivation Learning Focus Learning Strategy Feedback Seeking Feedback Processing Self-development Moderators Feedback Task challenge Task characteristics Task knowledge/skill Self-efficacy Task interest Goal alignment Time

Why Moderators Matter Identification of moderator variables can enhance initial research design. Examination of moderator variables can enhance the predictive power of goal orientation. The finding of moderated relationships provides a stronger foundation for investigation of the causal mechanisms that mediate the relationship of goal orientation and task performance. File drawer papers may have publication merit to help explain when goal orientation does not predict performance. The above developments can potentially enhance the usefulness of goal orientation in applied settings.

Thank you Thank You Don Vandewalle Management & Organizations Department