Effects of Goal Setting on Achievement in Archery

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of goal setting in teacher-led group conferences on achievement in archery. University undergraduates enrolled in three beginning archery classes (N = 30) were randomly assigned to two treatment groups—group conference with goal setting and group conferences only. For 10 weeks, subjects met twice a week for archery instruction and once a week with the instructor for a 10-minute conference. Subjects in the goal-setting conference group were directed to set numerical and verbal goals using a printed goal-setting form. Three achievement tests were administered while subjects were shooting from a distance of 20 yards: an initial test during week 1, a progress test during week 6, and a final test during week 10. Analysis of the data indicated that when groups were adjusted for initial differences, the goal-setting group achieved significantly higher scores in archery than the non-goal-setting group (F = 5.31, p < .05). Motivational implications of goal setting procedures are discussed.