Question 1

Research has determined three properties of goals that are likely to enhance motivation. Identify these properties and explain how they enhance motivation. Use examples from your own life in your response.

Accepted Answer

The three properties of goals that are likely to enhance motivation are specificity, difficulty, and feedback.

Specificity refers to the clarity and precision of the goal. When a goal is specific, it provides a clear target for individuals to work towards, which can increase their motivation to achieve it. For example, in my own life, when I set a specific goal to run a 5k race in under 25 minutes, I was more motivated to train and improve my running abilities because I had a clear target to aim for.

Difficulty refers to the level of challenge presented by the goal. Goals that are moderately difficult but still attainable can increase motivation because they require individuals to exert effort and push themselves to achieve them. For instance, when I set a goal to learn a new language within a year, the challenge of mastering a new skill motivated me to dedicate time and effort to language learning.

Feedback refers to the information individuals receive about their progress towards their goals. When individuals receive regular and specific feedback, it can enhance their motivation by providing a sense of accomplishment and progress. In my own experience, when I received positive feedback from my manager on a project I was working on, it motivated me to continue putting in effort and improving my performance.

In conclusion, the properties of specificity, difficulty, and feedback can enhance motivation by providing a clear target, presenting a challenge, and offering a sense of progress and accomplishment. These properties have been shown to increase individuals' motivation to work towards and achieve their goals.

Question 2

Joey wanted to get in-shape, so he decided to create a SMART goal to motivate himself to exercise. He wrote the following goal: By November 30th, I will go to the gym 7 days a week and work out for 90 minutes at each visit. Joey knew he probably wouldn't get to the gym 7 days a week, but he figured if he aimed for 7, he may end up going 5 days a week. He thought this was a great plan and was excited about his new goal. The main issue with Joey's goal is with its specificity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

If people ignore their personal values when setting goals, a likely outcome would be:

Accepted Answer

A)   They fail to meet their goals.
B)   Although they may reach their goals, they fail to do the things that are most important to them.
C)   They can achieve their goals more easily because they aren't distracted by a lot of other things.
D)   They lose self-esteem, and are less likely to reach their goals. B

Question 4

Your friend is taking a learning strategies course. Each week he must set a goal for his learning. This week the goal is: "I want to use learning strategies in my biology class." What is wrong with this goal? Rewrite is according to the criteria discussed in the text.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your friend is taking a learning strategies...

Question 5

The following is a SMART goal: By December 2021, I will earn a high GPA for this semester.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

What is the advantage of using intermediate goals? Explain. Then write three intermediate goals for writing a research paper that is due in 2 weeks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the advantage of using intermediate...

Question 7

One of your good friends has asked you to help write goals for her academic, social, and professional life. First, list the words that comprise the acronym SMART. Next, convert each of her goals into SMART goals.
 1) I want to do very well in all of my classes.
 2) I want to be more social.
 3) I want to get an internship within my field.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of your good friends has asked...

Question 8

What does the acronym SMART stand for?

Accepted Answer

A)   Structured, manageable, action-oriented, relative, and timely
B)   Specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and timely
C)   Structured, measurable, accountable, realistic, and transformational
D)   Specific, meaningful, accurate, realistic, and temporal

Question 9

Goals that are far into the future are the most motivating types of goal as they align with our aspirations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

What is the last step in the goal setting process?

Accepted Answer

A)   Identifying the goal
B)   Implementing the plans
C)   Evaluating your progress
D)   Making implementation plans

Question 11

As discussed in the text, researchers have established that the following properties of goals influence motivation:

Accepted Answer

A)   Specificity, manageability, appeal
B)   Specificity, accuracy, structure
C)   Specificity, proximity, difficulty
D)   Specificity, meaningfulness, accuracy

Question 12

Our goals should be derived from our governing values.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

When Alicia asks herself "How would other people achieve this goal?" she is using which step in the goal-setting process?

Accepted Answer

A)   Identifying personal goals
B)   Making implementation plans
C)   Evaluating her progress
D)   Generating and evaluating alternative plans

Question 14

The following goal is NOT a SMART goal, because it is not specific: By the end of next month, I will increase my grade by studying in the library.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 4: Goal Setting

Research has determined three properties of goals that are likely to enhance motivation. Identify these properties and explain how they enhance motivation. Use examples from your own life in your response.

If people ignore their personal values when setting goals, a likely outcome would be:

Your friend is taking a learning strategies course. Each week he must set a goal for his learning. This week the goal is: "I want to use learning strategies in my biology class." What is wrong with this goal? Rewrite is according to the criteria discussed in the text.

The following is a SMART goal: By December 2021, I will earn a high GPA for this semester.

What is the advantage of using intermediate goals? Explain. Then write three intermediate goals for writing a research paper that is due in 2 weeks.

What does the acronym SMART stand for?

Goals that are far into the future are the most motivating types of goal as they align with our aspirations.

What is the last step in the goal setting process?

As discussed in the text, researchers have established that the following properties of goals influence motivation:

Our goals should be derived from our governing values.

When Alicia asks herself "How would other people achieve this goal?" she is using which step in the goal-setting process?

The following goal is NOT a SMART goal, because it is not specific: By the end of next month, I will increase my grade by studying in the library.