Goal setting and reaction time performance in brain-damaged patients.
A goal-setting approach was used to examine the way in which 62 patients with closed head injuries or cerebral vascular accidents and 47 orthopedic control patients alter their performance on a four-choice reaction time (RT) task. Both patient groups were randomly assigned to two conditions: one in which a specific and high goal was assigned and one in which a "do your best" goal was given. Statistical analysis indicated that patients with a specific and high goal responded faster than patients with a "do your best" goal. No clinical or neuropsychological variables (e.g., attention, memory) had a moderating influence on the goal setting effect. These results demonstrate that goal setting as a motivational technique is a reliable and robust technique and can enhance performance (intensity of behavior) not only in healthy participants but also in brain-damaged patients.
Gauggel
S
S
Department of Psychology, Chemitz University of Technology, D-09120 Chemnitz, Germany. siegfried.gauggel@phil.tu-chemnitz.de
Leinberger
R
R
Richardt
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology