EXPLICIT GOALS

Cox, L. E. (1972). The effects of social contract conditions on the tolerance of noxious stimulation. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

Commitment to task completion and standard of performance were enhanced when goals, intentions, or contracts were stated explicitly.

Implication. Practice and competitive tasks should be stated behaviorally and without ambiguity. Concepts such as "determination," "aggressiveness", etc. do not direct behavior in an exact manner. The statements of performance goals need to be limited to observable and measurable actions and outcomes.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.