Goal Cognition and Its Clinical Implications

Abstract

Reports on the development and validation of the Goal Systems Assessment Battery (GSAB), a set of four questionnaires designed to gauge individual differences in personal goal construal as viewed within Ford's control theory model of conscious self-regulation. The Directive Function Questionnaire addresses attributions concerning goal-relevant self-efficacy and value. Self-monitoring of goal activity and social comparison evaluations are assessed via the Regulatory Function Questionnaire. The Control Function Questionnaire taps planning, self-reward, and self-criticism. The Arousal Function Questionnaire evaluates positive and negative arousal during goal pursuit. The GSAB was administered to college students ( N = 723) and a national sample of adults ( N = 246) to establish (a) its conceptual structure, (b) the factorial invariance of the instruments across distinct goal types, (c) temporal stability, (d) minimal susceptibility to social desirability bias, and (e) the relation of the GSAB to indexes of personal adjustment. Results of five studies support the psychometric and preliminary clinical utility of the instruments.