On the experience of goals: Differentiating goal‐generic value from goal‐specific value

• DOI: 10.1111/spc3.70006
• Publication Date: 2024-09-17T18:49:54Z
• Authors: Benjamin A. Converse; Annabelle R. Roberts; Marie Hennecke; Ayelet Fishbach
• Keywords: Value (mathematics); Goal setting; Closure (psychology); Goal Orientation; Goal pursuit

Abstract We distinguish between goal‐specific value , which refers to the intrinsic and extrinsic benefits associated with a particular goal (“value derived from goal”), goal‐generic having, pursuing, or completing in general goal”). Motivation theory research have traditionally, if tacitly, sought explain decision‐making (e.g., What prioritize? How much invest?) based on value. But several goal‐related decision regularities are not easily explained by accounting for alone, such as online workers choosing lower‐paying assignment (over higher‐paying assignment) it allows them complete last step sequence college students electing do more work sooner (rather than less later) provides closure. Accounting value—such positive experiences of purpose, progress, closure, accomplishment—offers additional insight into people's decisions. More generally, auditing goals way that accounts both is crucial understanding pursuits.