When the going gets tough: Motivation and goal self-regulation

Ntoumanis, Nikos (2017). When the going gets tough: Motivation and goal self-regulation. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: Economic and Social Research Council. 10.5255/UKDA-SN-850540

Data description (abstract)

Goal setting is a widely used psychological skill for enhancing performance in various life domains, including sport. Previous goal setting research has primarily focused on the "what" as opposed to the "why" of goal striving.
However individuals can have different motives for the pursuit of the same goal with differential implications for performance and well-being. Further previous research has largely focused upon positive experiences of goal striving and goal attainment.
Comparatively less attention has been devoted to how individuals respond to serious challenges during goal pursuit, yet responses to such challenges are integral to both future goal striving and psychological and emotional health. Consequently the research project comprises two laboratory studies with sport-specific tasks that examine individuals' responses to increasingly difficult attainable goals (Study 1) and unattainable (Study 2) goals.
The research project also examines the role of goal motives in predicting such responses. The aim of the project is to develop causal models inking goal motives, appraisals, coping, goal-persistence, and well-being with engagement in physical activities. Our findings may have implications for understanding mechanisms of responses to challenges in goal striving in achievement domains.

Data creators:

Creator Name	Affiliation	ORCID (as URL)
Ntoumanis Nikos	University of Birmingham

Contributors:

Name	Affiliation	ORCID (as URL)
Sedikides Constantine
Lynne Joan

Sponsors:

Economic and Social Research Council

Grant reference:

RES-000-22-3684

Topic classification:

Psychology

Date published:

28 Sep 2011 12:13

Last modified:

11 Jul 2017 09:47

Coverage and Methodology

Access and Administration

Data sourcing, processing and preparation:

Both studies were approved by the Ethical Review Committee at the University of Birmingham and were conducted in accordance with the safety guidelines of the School of Sport and Exercise Science. Several ethical considerations were approved by the Ethical Review Committee:- • In both studies, the exercise protocols required participants to work at high percentages of exercise intensity. In order to prevent any potential ill effects from testing, all participants were chosen on the basis that they were regularly training athletes and were screened for health problems using a health questionnaire. A trained first aider was on hand for all testing sessions. • Participants provided informed consent and were aware that they could withdraw their participation without consequence at any point. • A heart rate monitor was worn throughout both studies. The exercise was stopped if participants reached their age predicted maximum heart rate (200-age). A further ethical issue in Study 2 was the use of manipulated feedback which was deceptive to the participants. Participants were debriefed via email once all the testing had been completed. There are no confidentiality issues which are associated with the data.

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