Self-Regulation and Goal Setting - The Impact of Cognitive Theory on Human and Computer Development - page 13

CHAPTER 3
Self-Regulation and Goal Setting
Introduction
Bandura (1977) proclaimed interest in motivation relates primarily to how the individual ini-
tiates and sustains behavior. Self-regulatory capability is a distinctive characteristic of social
learning theory. Through their own actions, people are able to control their own behavior by
using their cognitive abilities to produce the desired consequences.
Bandura (1977) determined a cognitively based foundation for motivation works through
the interdependent influences of self-regulation and goal setting. The motivational states do
not draw from the goals themselves but rather from the fact that people react by evaluating
their own behavior (Bandura 1977). Goals indicate the provisional requirements for positive
self-evaluation. Once individuals have made self-satisfaction conditional upon goal achieve-
ment, they tend to persevere in their efforts until their accomplishments match what they are
seeking to attain. Both the expected fulfillment of the desired accomplishments and the neg-
ative assessment of inadequate performances may function as incentives for action (Bandura
1977).
Specificity in goal setting partly determines the extent to which goals produce persuasion
for action (Bandura 1977). The use of explicitly defined goals helps to regulate performance
by designating the type and the amount of effort required. Goals serve to encourage self-sat-
isfaction by yielding clear signs of personal accomplishments (Bandura 1977). A reliance on
generalized intentions does little to help regulate one's efforts or evaluate how one is doing
(Bandura 1977).
Self-Reflection and Self-Evaluation
Bandura (1986) noted the implementation of internal standards and self-evaluative beha-
viors contributes to future motivation and actions. People tend to maneuver environmental
circumstances to produce inspiration for their labors. External influences frequently serve to
strengthen self-regulation. However, such support in no way diminishes the power of self-
evaluation. Bandura (1986) contended cognitive depictions of future events cannot yield
precision in predicting behavior but can have a strong contributory impact on present per-
formance. Envisioning images of preferred outcomes tends to promote the behavior most
likely to bring about their attainment.
People can typically use knowledge of future consequences to initiate motivation and
self-regulatory behavior. Individuals can translate the abovementioned concept of fore-