Self-concordance, goal attainment, and the pursuit of happiness

Can there be an upward spiral

Bibliographic Data

ID6204901
AuthorsKennon M Sheldon (0000-0002-9219-832X, University of Missouri, corresponding author), Linda Houser-Marko, Linda Houser‐Marko
Year2001
Volume80
Issue1
Pages152-165
Publication date2001-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037//0022-3514.80.1.152
PMID11195887
OpenAlexW4248303225
LanguageEN
Citations received146
References cited37

Two studies used the self-concordance model of healthy goal striving (K. M. Sheldon & A. J. Elliot, 1999) to examine the motivational processes by which people can increase their level of well-being during a period of time and then maintain the gain or perhaps increase it even further during the next period of time. In Study 1, entering freshmen with self-concordant motivation better attained their 1st-semester goals, which in turn predicted increased adjustment and greater self-concordance for the next semester's goals. Increased self-concordance in turn predicted even better goal attainment during the 2nd semester, which led to further increases in adjustment and to higher levels of ego development by the end of the year. Study 2 replicated the basic model in a 2-week study of short-term goals set in the laboratory. Limits of the model and implications for the question of how (and whether) happiness may be increased are discussed

Concordance · Developmental psychology · Goal Orientation · Goal pursuit · Happiness · Id, ego and super-ego · Set (abstract data type) · Spiral (railway · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology

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