The Role of Goal Orientation on Negative Emotions and Goal Setting When Initial Performance Falls Short of One's Performance Goal

Abstract

This longitudinal field study examined the influence of goal orientation on both negative emotional reactions to performance feedback and subsequent self-set goal level. After completing an initial performance event and receiving negative performance feedback, learning and proving goal orientations had nonsignificant relations with the intensity of negative emotional reactions to feedback. In contrast, an avoiding goal orientation had a positive relation with the intensity of negative emotional reactions. For a subsequent performance event a month later, we found 2 relation patterns. First, negative emotional reactions mediated the relation of an avoiding goal orientation with goal setting. Second, a learning goal orientation moderated the relation of negative emotional reactions with goal setting. Specifically, we found a negative relation between the intensity of negative emotional reactions and goal level for individuals with a low learning goal orientation. For individuals with a high learning goal orientation, however, the relation was nonsignificant. Overall, the study findings provide insights on how goal orientation influences initial emotional reactions and subsequent self-regulation in the face of negative performance feedback.