In this study of the effect of goal specificity as knowledge of a single correct choice on group performance 28 groups of five persons were assigned to one of two conditions in a problem-solving role play. In one condition group members were told there was only one correct answer among seven choices, and in the other members were told simply to choose what they thought was the best answer. Analysis yielded significantly more correct responses among the groups knowing there was one correct answer, although no difference was found in the amount of time taken to solve the problem.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
LathamG. P.YuklG. A. (1975) Assigned versus participative goal setting with educated and uneducated woods workers. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60, 299–302.
2.
LockeE. A.ShawK. N.SaariL. M.LathamG. P. (1981) Goal setting and task performance: 1969–1980. Psychological Bulletin, 90, 125–152.
3.
MatsuiT.KakuyamaT.OnglatcoM. L. (1987) Effects of goals and feedback on performance in groups. Journal of Applied Psychology, 72, 407–415.
4.
PfeifferJ. W.JonesJ. E. (1972) Energy international: A problem-solving role play. In PfeifferJ. W.JonesJ. E. (Eds.), 1972 annual handbook for group facilitators. San Diego, CA: University Associates. Pp. 25–35.
5.
TubbsM. E. (1986) Goal setting: A meta-analytic examination of the empirical evidence. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71, 474–483.
