Goals, Values, and Aspirations

Featured Articles

Ryan, R. M., Sheldon, K. M., Kasser, T., & Deci, E. L. (1996). All goals are not created equal: An organismic perspective on the nature of goals and their regulation. In P. M. Gollwitzer & J. A. Bargh (Eds.), The psychology of action: Linking cognition and motivation to behavior (pp. 7-26). New York: Guilford Press.

Research Reports

Guertin, C., Barbeau, K., Pelletier, L. G., & Martinelli, G. (2017). Why do women engage in fat talk? Examining fat talk using Self-Determination Theory as an explanatory framework. Body Image, 20, 7-15. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.10.008

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Park, L. E., Ward, D. E., & Naragon-Gainey, K. (2017). It’s all about the money (for some): Consequences of financially contingent self- worth. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 43(5), 1-12. doi: 10.1177/0146167216689080

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Benita, M., Shane, N., Elgali, O., & Roth, G. (2017). The important role of the context in which achievement goals are adopted: an experimental test. Motivation and Emotion, 41, 180-195. doi: 10.1007/s11031-016-9600-8

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Thibault Landry, A., Kindlein, J., Trépanier, S.-G., Forest, J., Zigarmi, D., Houson, D., & Brodbeck, F. C (2016). Why individuals want money matters: Using self-determination theory to explain the differential relations between motives for making money and employee psychological health. Motivation and Emotion, 40, 226-242. doi: 10.1007/s11031-015-9532-8

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Werner, K. M., Milyavskaya, M., Foxen-craft, E., & Koestner, R. (2016). Some goals just feel easier: Self-concordance leads to goal progress through subjective ease, not effort. Personality and Individual Differences, 96, 237-242. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.002

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Mageau, G. A., Bureau, J. S., Ranger, F., Allen, M.-P.,, & Soenens, B. (2016). Parental achievement goals as determinants of autonomy-supportive and controlling parenting. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 1702-1711. doi: 10.1007/s10826-015-0341-1

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Soenens, B., Wuyts, D., Vansteenkiste, M., Mageau, G. A., & Brenning, K. (2015). Raising trophy kids: The role of mothers' contingent self-esteem in maternal promotion of extrinsic goals. Journal of Adolescence, 42, 40-49. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.04.001

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Milyavskaya, M., Inzlicht, M., Hope, N., & Koestner, R. (2015). Saying ‘No’ to temptation: ‘want-to’ motivation improves self-regulation by reducing temptation rather than by increasing self-control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 677-693. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000045

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Ntoumanis, N., Healy, L.C., Sedikides, C., Duda, J. L., Stewart, B., Smith, A., & Bond, J. (2014). When the going gets tough: The “why” of goal striving matters. Journal of Personality, 8, 225-236. doi: 10.1111/jopy.12047

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Benita, M., Roth, G., & Deci, E. L. (2014). When are mastery goals more adaptive? It depends on experiences of autonomy support and autonomy. Journal of Educational Psychology, 106, 258-267. doi: 10.1037/a0034007

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Ntoumanis, N., Healy, L. C., Sedikides, C., Smith, A. L., & Duda, J. L. (2014). Self-regulatory responses to unattainable goals: The role of goal motives. Self and Identity, 13, 594 - 612. doi: 10.1080/15298868.2014.889033

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Milyavskaya, M., Nadolny, D, & Koestner, R. (2014). Where do self-concordant goals come from? The role of domain-specific psychological need satisfaction.. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 40, 700-711. doi: 10.1177/0146167214524445

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Ziviani, J., Poulsen, A. A., Kotaniemi, K., & Law, M. (2014). The Belief in Goal Self-Competence Scale (BiGSS) – Exploring a new way to support individual goal pursuit and document occupational therapy outcomes in paediatric practice. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 61, 316-324. doi: doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12140

Poulsen, A. A., Ziviani, J., Kotaniemi, K., & Law, M. (2014). “I think I can”: Measuring confidence in goal pursuit. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77, 64-66. doi: 10.4276/030802214X13916969447074

Smith, A.L., & Ntoumanis, N. (2014). An examination of goal motives and athletes’ self-regulatory responses to unattainable goals. International Journal of Sport Psychology: Building Bridges between Motivation and Self-Regulation in Sport, Exercise, and Physical, 4, 538-558.

Healy, L.C., Ntoumanis, N., van Zanten, J.V., & Paine, N. (2014). Goal striving and well-being in sport: The role of contextual and personal motivation. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 36, 446-459. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2013-0261

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Sheldon, K. M. (2014). Becoming oneself: The central role of self-concordant goal selection. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 18, 349-365. doi: 10.1177/1088868314538549

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Hortop, E. G., Wrosch, C., & Gagné, M. (2013). The how and why of goal pursuits: Effects of global perceived control and autonomous motivation on subjective well-being. Motivation and Emotion, 37, 675-687. doi: 10.1007/s11031-013-9349-2

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Przybylski, A. K., , DeHaan, C. R., & Gladwell, V. (2013). Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out. Computers in Human Behavior, 29, 1841–1848. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2013.02.014

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Duriez, B., Luyckx, K., Soenens, B., & Berzonsky, M. D. (2012). A process-content approach to adolescent identity formation: Examining longitudinal associations between identity styles and goal pursuits. Journal of Personality, 80, 135-161.

Legault, L., Al-Khindi, & Inzlincht, I. (2012). Preserving integrity in the face of performance threat: Self-affirmation enhances neurophysiological responsiveness to errors.. Psychological Science, 23, 1455-1460. doi: 10.1177/0956797612448483

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Martos, T., & Kopp, M. S. (2012). Life goals and well-being: Does financial status matter? Evidence from a representative Hungarian sample. Social Indicators Research, 105, 561-568. doi: 10.1007/s11205-011-9788-7

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Koestner, R., Powers, T. A., Carbonneau, N., & Milyavskaya, M. (2012). Distinguishing autonomous and directive forms of goal support: Their effects of goal progress relationship quality and personal well being. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 38, 1609-1620. doi: 10.1177/0146167212457075

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Verstuyf, J., Vansteenkiste, M., & Soenens, B. (2012). Eating regulation and bulimic symptoms: The differential correlates of health-focused and appearance-focused eating regulation. Body Image, 9, 108-117.

Duriez, B., Meeus, J., & Vansteenkiste, M. (2012). Why are some people more susceptible to ingroup threat than others? The importance of a relative extrinsic to intrinsic value orientation. Journal of Research in Personality, 46, 164–172.

Romero, E., Gómez-Fraguela, J. A., & Villar, P. (2012). Life aspirations, personality traits and subjective well-being in a Spanish sample. European Journal of Personality, 26, 45-55.

Roth, G., Kanat-Maymon, Y., & Bibi, U. (2011). Prevention of school bullying: The important role of autonomy-supportive teaching and internalization of pro-social values. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 81, 654–666.

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Duriez, B. (2011). The social costs of extrinsic relative to intrinsic goal pursuits revisited: The moderating role of general causality orientation. Personality and Individual Differences, 50, 684–687.

Ciani, K. D., Sheldon, K. M., Hilpert, J. C., & Easter, M. A. (2011). Antecedents and trajectories of achievement goals: A self-determination theory perspective. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 81, 223–243.

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McLachlan, S., & Hagger, M. S. (2011). Do people differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic goals in physical activity behavior?. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33, 273-288.

Kirkegaard Thomsen, D., Tønnesvang, J., Schnieber, A., & Hammershøj Olesen, M. (2011). Do people ruminate because they haven’t digested their goals? The relations of rumination and reflection to goal internalization and ambivalence. Motivation and Emotion, 35, 105-117. doi: 10.1007/s11031-011-9209-x

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Kasser, T. (2011). Can thrift bring well-being? A review of the research and a tentative theory. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 5, 865-877.

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Sheldon, K. M., Nichols, C. P., & Kasser, T. (2011). Americans recommend smaller ecological footprints when reminded of intrinsic American values of self-expression, family, and generosity. Ecopsychology, 3, 97-104.

Wang, C. K. J., Sproule, J., McNeill, M., Martindale, R. J. J., & Lee, K. S. (2011). Impact of the talent development environment on achievement goals and life aspirations in Singapore. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 23, 263-276.

Sheldon, K. M., Gunz, A., Nichols, C. P., & Ferguson, Y. (2010). Extrinsic value orientation and affective forecasting: Overestimating the rewards, underestimating the costs. Journal of Personality, 78, 149-178.

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Ferguson, Y., & Sheldon, K. M. (2010). Should goal-strivers think about ‘‘why’’ or ‘‘how’’ to strive? It depends on their skill level. Motivation and Emotion, 34, 253-265. doi: 10.1007/s11031-010-9174-9

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Nien, C., & Duda, J. L. (2009). Antecedents and consequences of approach and avoidance achievement goals: A test of gender invariance. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 9, 352-372.

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Van Hiel, A., & Vansteenkiste, M. (2009). Ambitions fullfilled? The effects of intrinsic and extrinsic goal attainment on older adults' ego-integrity and death attitudes. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 68, 27-51.

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Niemiec, C. P., Ryan, R. M., Deci, E. L., & Williams, G. C. (2009). Aspiring to physical health: The role of aspirations for physical health in facilitating long-term tobacco abstinence. Patient Education and Counseling, 74, 250-257.

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Sheldon, K. M., & Kasser, T. (2008). Psychological threat and extrinsic goal striving. Motivation and Emotion, 32, 37-45.

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Vansteenkiste, M., Timmermans, T., Lens, W., Soenens, B., & Van den Broeck, A. (2008). Does extrinsic goal framing enhance extrinsic goal oriented individuals’ learning and performance? An experimental test of the match-perspective vs. self-determination theory. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100, 387-397.

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Duriez, B., Soenens, B., & Vansteenkiste, M. (2008). The intergenerational transmission of authoritarianism: The mediating role of parental goal promotion. Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 622-642.

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Vallerand, R. J., Salvy, S. J., Mageau, G. A., Elliot, A. J., Denis, P. L., Grouzet, F. M., & Blanchard, C. (2007). On the role of passion in performance. Journal of Personality, 75, 505-534. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2007.00447.x

Chatzisarantis, N. L., & Hagger, M. S. (2007). The moral worth of sport reconsidered: Contributions of recreational sport and competitive sport to life aspirations and psychological well-being. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25, 1047-1056.

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Lacaille, N., Gaudreau, P., & Koestner, R. (2007). On the value of intrinsic rather than traditional achievement goals for performing artists: A short-term prospective study. International Journal of Music Education, 25, 243-254.

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Vansteenkiste, M., Matos, L., Lens, W., & Soenens, B. (2007). Understanding the impact of intrinsic versus extrinsic goal framing on exercise performance: The conflicting role of task and ego involvement. Psychology of Sport And Exercise, 8, 771-794.

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Duriez, B., Soenens, B., & Vansteenkiste, M. (2007). In search of the antecedents of adolescent authoritarianism: The relative contribution of parental goal promotion and parenting style dimensions. European Journal of Personality, 21, 507-527.

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Sheldon, K. M., Houser-Marko, L., & Kasser, T. (2006). Does autonomy increase with age? Comparing the goal motivations of college students and their parents. Journal of Research in Personality, 40, 168-178.

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Koestner, R., Horberg, E. J., Gaudreau, P., Powers, T., DiDio, P., Bryan, C., Jochum, R., & Salter, N. (2006). Bolstering implementation plans for long haul: The benefits of simultaneously boosting self-concordance or self-efficacy. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 1547-1558.

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Vansteenkiste, M., Duriez, B., Simons, J., & Soenens, B. (2006). Materialistic values and well-being among business students: Further evidence for their detrimental effect. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36, 2892-2908.

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Brown, K. W., & Kasser, T. (2005). Are psychological and ecological well-being compatible? The role of values, mindfulness, and lifestyle. Social Indicators Research, 74, 349-368.

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Vansteenkiste, M., Simons, J., Lens, W., Soenens, B., & Matos, L. (2005). Examining the motivational impact of intrinsic versus extrinsic goal framing and autonomy-supportive versus internally controlling communication style on early adolescents' academic achievement. Child Development, 2, 483-501.

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Sheldon, K. M. (2005). Positive value change during college: Normative trends and individual differences. Journal of Research in Personality, 39, 209-223.

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Vansteenkiste, M., Simons, J., Lens, W., Sheldon, K. M., & Deci, E. L. (2004). Motivating learning, performance, and persistence: The synergistic role of intrinsic goals and autonomy-support. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 246-260.

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Sheldon, K. M., Ryan, R. M., Deci, E. L., & Kasser, T. (2004). The independent effects of goal contents and motives on well-being: It's both what you pursue and why you pursue it. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 475-486.

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Vansteenkiste, M., Simons, J., Lens, W., Soenens, B., Matos, L., & Lacante, M. (2004). Less is sometimes more: Goal-content matters. Journal of Educational Psychology, 96, 755-764.

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Cozzolino, P. J., Staples, A. D., Meyers, L. S., & Samboceti, J. (2004). Greed, death, and values: From terror management to transcendence management theory. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 278-292.

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Sheldon, K. M., Arndt, J., & Houser-Marko, L. I (2003). In search of the organismic valuing process: The human tendency to move towards beneficial goal choices. Journal of Personality, 71, 835-869.

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Kim, Y., Kasser, T., & Lee, H. (2003). Self-concept, aspirations, and well-being in South Korea and the United States. Journal of Social Psychology, 143, 277-290.

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Kasser, T., & Ahuvia, A. C. (2002). Materialistic values and well-being in business students. European Journal of Social Psychology, 32, 137-146.

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Sheldon, K. M., & Elliot, A. J. (2000). Personal goals in social roles: Divergences and convergences across roles and levels of analysis. Journal of Personality, 68, 51-84.

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Sheldon, K. M., & McGregor, H. A. (2000). Extrinsic value orientation and 'the tragedy of the commons'. Journal of Personality, 68, 383-411.

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Sheldon, K. M., & Elliot, A. J. (1999). Goal striving, need-satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being: The self-concordance model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 482-497.

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McHoskey, J. W. (1999). Machiavellianism, intrinsic versus extrinsic goals, and social interest: A self-determination theory analysis. Motivation and Emotion, 23, 267-283.

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Sheldon, K. M., & Elliot, A. J. (1998). Not all personal goals are personal: Comparing autonomous and controlling goals on effort and attainment. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 24, 546-557.

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Kasser, T. (1996). Aspirations and well-being in a prison setting. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 26, 1367-1377.

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Sheldon, K. M., & Kasser, T. (1995). Coherence and congruence: Two aspects of personality integration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 531-543.

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Chapters, Overviews, and Commentaries

Guiffrida, D., Lynch, M. F., Wall, A., & Abel, D. (2013). Do reasons for attending college affect academic outcomes? A test of a motivational model from a self-determination theory perspective. Journal of College Student Development, 54, 121-139. doi: 10.1353/csd.2013.0019

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Weinstein, N., Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2012). Motivation, meaning and wellness: A self-determination perspective on the creation and internalization of personal meanings and life goals. In P. T. P. Wang (Ed.), The human quest for meaning: Theories, research, and applications (pp. 81-106). New York: Routledge Publishers. doi: 10.4324/9780203146286

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Koestner, R. (2008). Reaching one’s personal goals: A motivational perspective focused on autonomy. Canadian Psychology, 49, 60-67.

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Hagger, M. S., & Chatzisarantis, N. L. (2007). Self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior: An integrative approach toward a more complete model of motivation. In L. V. Brown (Ed.), Psychology of motivation (pp. 83-98). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science.

Sheldon, K. M., & Vansteenkiste, M. (2005). Time travel via goals: Implications and issues. In A. Strathman & J. Joireman (Eds.), Understanding behavior in the context of time: Theory, research, and applications in social, personality, health, and environmental psychology (pp. 143-165). London: Erlbaum.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (1999). Approaching and avoiding self-determination: comparing cybernetic and organismic paradigms of motivation. In C. Carver & M. Scheier (Eds.), Perspectives on behavioral self-regulation: Advances in social cognition (Vol XII, pp. 193-215). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.