The Effects of Goal and Feedback Specificity of Task Performance

A three (goal type and level) by three (type and level of knowledge of results) factorial design was implemented with nine subjects per cell. Goal factor levels were: Numeric goal, percentage increase goal, and do best goal. Knowledge of results (KR) factor levels were: Numeric KR, percentage increase/decrease KR and no KR. KR manipulations affected perceived knowledge of performance standing„ but there were no significant effects on performance. Goal effects on performance were significant (p<.01) but there were no significant interaction effects. Goal levels were found to be important in performance prediction. Increased information in the goal may positively affect subjective goal difficulty and be associated with higher performance levels, and may render KR administration unnecessary for goal-performance effects. Goal effects appeared to be immediate and sustained. KR manipulation was not found to be associated with performance effects.