Goal Orientation and the March of Science

1. Goal Orientationand the March of Science Don Vandewalle Management & Organizations Department

3. 1995 Presentation Exchange onGoal 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?)

4. Goal Orientation and Task Performance Alearning goal orientationis the desire to develop the self by acquiring new skills, mastering new situations, and improving one’s competence. + Vandewalle et al. (1999) Φ Phillips & 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

5. 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).

6. 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.

7. Goal Orientation (Circa 1980s)

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

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

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

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

12. 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.

13. Thank You Thank you Don Vandewalle Management & Organizations Department