University Presentation Showcase: Faculty Poster Gallery
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Creation Date
Spring 2016
Department
Psychology
Abstract
To demonstrate the influence of close relationships in the goal pursuit process, four studies tested a Relational Mechanism Model for Goal Pursuit, which proposed three mechanisms that yield relational motives for a goal. These motives in turn predict goal outcomes, but the association was expected to be stronger among women than among men. Study 1 (n = 116) tested the model in the context of a short-term, collaborative project between strangers, Study 2 (n = 186) examined parents being motivated by their children to be healthier, Study 3 (n = 124) examined nontraditional college students searching for careers, and Study 4 (n = 181) examined young adults’ progress toward a major self-improvement goal. Results showed support for the model in all four studies, with the exception that feeling accountable to others was not a consistent predictor of relational motives.
