title: Predicting subsequent task performance from goal motivation and goal failure.
abstract: Recent research has demonstrated that the cognitive processes associated with goal pursuit can continue to interfere with unrelated tasks when a goal is unfulfilled. Drawing from the self-regulation and goal-striving literatures, the present study explored the impact of goal failure on subsequent cognitive and physical task performance. Furthermore, we examined if the autonomous or controlled motivation underpinning goal striving moderates the responses to goal failure. Athletes (75 male, 59 female, Mage = 19.90 years, SDage = 3.50) completed a cycling trial with the goal of covering a given distance in 8 min. Prior to the trial, their motivation was primed using a video. During the trial they were provided with manipulated performance feedback, thus creating conditions of goal success or failure. No differences emerged in the responses to goal failure between the primed motivation or performance feedback conditions. We make recommendations for future research into how individuals can deal with failure in goal striving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sports Studies, Newman University Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Laura C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine Research Group, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ntoumanis
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Brandon D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Joan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Duda
keywords: executive function; goal pursuit; physical performance; self-concordance; self-determination theory