title: Hierarchical representation of motives in goal setting.
abstract: The authors developed a framework for thinking about motives in goal setting. The reasons for choosing a particular goal are represented in a hierarchical network of motives. To uncover context-specific motives and their interconnections, the authors propose a procedure based on the elicitation of justifications for one's goal. The authors applied the procedure to the motivation of volunteering to join the Italian Army by officers (N = 151) and 3 groups of enlisted soldiers (Garibaldi Brigade, N = 141; Folgore Brigade, N = 144; and volunteers in training, N = 150). The resulting idiographic motives and linkages between motives were validated by regressing attitudes, intentions to reenlist, and commitment toward the army on motives and linkages between motives. A heuristic nomothetic summary of goals, arranged in an interconnected hierarchy, was derived.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002322:Career Mobility; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation