(Carleton University)
Motivation and self-regulation: How does want-to and have-to motivation lead to goal attainment?
Setting, pursuing, and attaining personal goals is ubiquitous in our day-to-day lives. However, although people commonly set personal goals, they very often fail. This talk will review some research on personal goal pursuit, focusing on the role of motivation. My collaborators and I have been examining why goals pursued out of interest or personal importance (‘want-to’ goals) are more likely to be attained than externally motivated ‘have-to’ goals. When pursuing want-to goals, people are less attracted to temptations that interfere with these goals. They also set up their environments to minimize obstacles and temptations, and perceive existing obstacles as less problematic. Goal pursuit feels easier, and goals are more likely to ultimately be attained. Throughout the talk I will also highlight how this program of research utilizes a multi-method approach that includes experimental, prospective, and experience-sampling research as well as a focus on idiosyncratic personal goals.
The colloquium will be held in Psychology Building 035.