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Cited by 509Motivation and Self-Concept in SportsPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionHuman Behavior and Motivation

The path taken: Consequences of attaining intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations in post-college life

Open access
Niemiec, Christopher P., Ryan, Richard M., Deci, Edward L.·2009·Journal of Research in Personality
DOI 10.1016/j.jrp.2008.09.001PMC PMC2736104
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Abstract

Life goals, or aspirations, organize and direct behavior over extended periods of time. The present study, guided by self-determination theory, examined the consequences of pursuing and attaining aspirations over a one-year period in a post-college sample. Results indicated that placing importance on either intrinsic or extrinsic aspirations related positively to attainment of those goals. Yet, whereas attainment of intrinsic aspirations related positively to psychological health, attainment of extrinsic aspirations did not; indeed, attainment of extrinsic aspirations related positively to indicators of ill-being. Also as predicted, the association between change in attainment of intrinsic aspirations and change in psychological health was mediated by change in the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Discussion focuses on the idea that not all goal attainment is beneficial; rather, attainment of aspirations with different contents relates differentially to psychological health.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jrp.2008.09.001

Cites

83 of 83 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

4 of 42 cited sources checked · 3 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingown data

    The z' test indicated that change in basic psychological need satisfaction was a significant mediator of the direct relation (z' = -2.26, p < .01).

    “The z' test indicated that change in basic psychological need satisfaction was a significant mediator of the direct relation (z' = -2.26, p < .01).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites MacKinnon et al. (2002) source

      The methods table identifies the z′ test as a test of an intervening-variable effect, supporting the choice of method. The paper does not report a finding about change in basic psychological need satisfaction or the stated z′ value and p-value; those study-specific results are not supported by this source. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Findingown data

    Using the MacKinnon et al. (2002) procedure, the z' test showed that change in basic need satisfaction significantly mediated the direct link (z' = 2.69, p < .01).

    “The z' test indicated that change in basic psychological need satisfaction was a significant mediator of the direct relation (z' = 2.69, p < .01).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites MacKinnon, Lockwood, Hoffman, West, and Sheets (2002) source
  • Findingown data

    Attainment of extrinsic aspirations was not positively associated with psychological health.

    “Yet, whereas attainment of intrinsic aspirations related positively to psychological health, attainment of extrinsic aspirations did not; indeed, attainment of extrinsic aspirations related positively to indicators of ill-being.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The link between change in intrinsic aspiration attainment and change in psychological health was mediated by change in satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

    “Also as predicted, the association between change in attainment of intrinsic aspirations and change in psychological health was mediated by change in the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Placing importance on extrinsic aspirations was positively associated with attaining those extrinsic aspirations.

    “Results indicated that placing importance on either intrinsic or extrinsic aspirations related positively to attainment of those goals.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 43
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 26
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Similar results have been found in diverse countries and among working adults as well as college students.

    “Similar results have been found in diverse countries and with working adults as well as college students (e.g., Ryan et al., 1999; Schmuck, Kasser, & Ryan, 2000; Vansteenkiste et al., 2007).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Ryan et al., 1999 source
    • cites Schmuck, Kasser, & Ryan, 2000 source
    • cites Vansteenkiste et al., 2007 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Employees with an extrinsic (relative to intrinsic) work value orientation reported short-lived satisfaction after successful goal attainment and conflict between work and family.

    “Vansteenkiste et al. (2007) reported that employees who held an extrinsic (relative to an intrinsic) work value orientation reported both short-lived satisfaction after successful goal attainment and also conflict between their work and family.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Vansteenkiste et al. (2007) source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the six-construct CFA, all factor loadings were significant at p < .01 and ranged from .39 to .95, with a mean of .69.

    “All factor loadings were significant (p < .01) and ranged in magnitude from .39 to .95 (mean λ = .69).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The same analysis produced a second factor comprising the three negative psychological health indices, with eigenvalue 1.27, explaining an additional 21.08% of variance, and loadings of .89, .90, and .79.

    “The second factor included the three negative indices of psychological health and yielded an eigenvalue of 1.27 that accounted for an additional 21.08% of the variance. Anxiety, physical symptoms, and negative affect had factor loadings of .89, .90, and .79, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A principal components factor analysis at Time 2 produced a first factor comprising the three positive psychological health indices, with eigenvalue 3.31, explaining 55.11% of variance, and loadings of .83, .85, and .87.

    “The first factor included the three positive indices of psychological health and yielded an eigenvalue of 3.31 that accounted for 55.11% of the variance. Life satisfaction, self-esteem, and positive affect had factor loadings of .83, .85, and .87, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Females reported higher Time 2 attainment of community involvement (M = 4.22, SD = 1.47) than males (M = 3.65, SD = 1.28), t(141) = 2.24, p < .05.

    “Females [M (SD) = 4.22 (1.47)] reported higher attainment of the intrinsic aspiration for community involvement at Time 2 than did males [M (SD) = 3.65 (1.28)], t (141) = 2.24, p < .05.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    All paired samples correlations for aspiration attainment from Time 1 to Time 2 were significant at p < .01 and ranged from .66 to .79.

    “All paired samples correlations were significant (p < .01) and ranged in magnitude from .66 to .79.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Time 1 ill-being was positively related to Time 2 ill-being (β = .65, p < .01), indicating that ill-being remained relatively stable over time.

    “Time 1 ill-being related positively to Time 2 ill-being (β = .65, p < .01), indicating that ill-being remained relatively stable over time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    With both direct and indirect paths in the model, the link from the Time 2 intrinsic attainment residual to the Time 2 well-being residual dropped from β = .63 (p < .01) to β = .16 (ns), indicating mediation.

    “the relation of the residual variance of Time 2 intrinsic attainment to the residual variance of Time 2 well-being was reduced from β = .63 (p < .01) to β = .16 (ns), indicating mediation of the direct relation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the current study, attainment of intrinsic aspirations related positively to psychological health, whereas attainment of extrinsic aspirations was either unrelated or negatively related to psychological health.

    “in the current study, attainment of intrinsic aspirations related positively to psychological health, whereas attainment of extrinsic aspirations was either unrelated or negatively related to psychological health”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Residual covariances linking Time 1 and Time 2 satisfaction for autonomy and competence were nonsignificant and omitted.

    “The covariances between the residual variances of Time 1 and Time 2 satisfaction of both autonomy and competence were not significant and thus were not included in the structural model used to test for mediation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The covariances between the residual variances of Time 1 and Time 2 satisfaction of autonomy and competence, and between Time 1 and Time 2 anxiety, were not significant.

    “The covariances between the residual variances of Time 1 and Time 2 satisfaction of both autonomy and competence, as well as between Time 1 and Time 2 anxiety, were not significant”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the eight-construct CFA, all factor loadings were significant at p < .01 and ranged from .59 to .86, with a mean of .72.

    “All factor loadings were significant (p < .01) and ranged in magnitude from .59 to .86 (mean λ = .72).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The residual covariances linking Time 1 importance with Time 2 attainment for personal growth and money were nonsignificant and omitted from the structural model.

    “The covariances between the residual variances of Time 1 importance and Time 2 attainment of both personal growth and money were not significant and thus were not included in the model used to test the fit of the structural model.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Attainment of the extrinsic aspirations for money, fame, and image was unrelated to basic psychological need satisfaction and related slightly negatively to psychological health.

    “In contrast, attainment of the extrinsic aspirations for money, fame, and image was unrelated to basic psychological need satisfaction and related slightly negatively to psychological health.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    When goal attainment does not provide basic psychological need satisfaction, it is unlikely to yield long-term psychological health benefits and may cause decrements.

    “In short, to the extent that goal attainment does not provide basic psychological need satisfaction, it is unlikely to yield long-term psychological health benefits and may cause some decrements.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Students' overall progress toward goal attainment during a semester was beneficial for their psychological health.

    “Sheldon and Kasser (1998) reported that students' overall progress toward goal attainment during a semester was beneficial for their psychological health.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sheldon and Kasser (1998) source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    SDT argues that greater well-being and less ill-being follow primarily from attaining intrinsic rather than extrinsic goals, because only intrinsic attainment is likely to satisfy basic psychological needs.

    “However, SDT argues that it is primarily when people attain intrinsic (rather than extrinsic) goals that they will experience greater well-being and less ill-being because it is only attainment of intrinsic goals that is likely to provide satisfaction of their basic psychological needs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The self-esteem measure showed reliability coefficients of .91 at Time 1 and .92 at Time 2.

    “The reliability for this measure was α = .91 at Time 1 and α = .92 at Time 2.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The physical symptoms measure had reliability coefficients of .86 at Time 1 and .84 at Time 2.

    “The reliability for this measure was α = .86 at Time 1 and α = .84 at Time 2.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The key difference between intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations, and the reason they relate differently to psychological health, is how much they are linked to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

    “Ryan, Sheldon, Kasser, and Deci (1996) suggested that the key difference between intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations, and the reason that the two groups of aspirations are differentially related to psychological health, is the degree to which those goals are linked to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which are considered by SDT to be the cor”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ryan, Sheldon, Kasser, and Deci (1996)

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    People who strongly valued financial success relative to personal growth, close relationships, and community involvement reported poorer psychological health.

    “This research began with studies by Kasser and Ryan (1993) showing that people who strongly valued financial success relative to personal growth, close relationships, and community involvement reported poorer psychological health, suggesting a potential ‘dark side to the American dream.’”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kasser and Ryan (1993) source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Satisfaction of basic psychological needs across development promotes greater importance of intrinsic rather than extrinsic aspirations.

    “More specifically, SDT theorizes that the relations of the two types of aspirations to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs involves two components: first, that satisfaction of the basic psychological needs across development will promote higher importance of intrinsic (rather than extrinsic) aspirations; second, that the pursuit and attainment of intrinsic (rather than extrinsic)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The importance of intrinsic relative to extrinsic aspirations was positively related to well-being and negatively related to ill-being.

    “Kasser and Ryan (1996) reported that the importance to individuals of pursuing intrinsic (relative to extrinsic) aspirations related positively to various indicators of well-being, including positive affect, vitality, and self-actualization, and related negatively to various indicators of ill-being, including depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kasser and Ryan (1996) source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    At Time 2, 147 participants, 90% of the sample, were successfully contacted and returned surveys.

    “Finally, one year after that, 147 (90% of the sample) were successfully contacted and returned their surveys.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    High school students who reported autonomy-supportive parents placed more importance on intrinsic relative to extrinsic aspirations and were less likely to engage in risky health behaviors.

    “Similarly, Williams, Cox, Hedberg, and Deci (2000) found that high school students who reported that their parents were autonomy-supportive (and thus promoted basic psychological need satisfaction) placed more importance on intrinsic (relative to extrinsic) aspirations and were less likely to engage in risky health behaviors, including use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Williams, Cox, Hedberg, and Deci (2000) source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    These results provide initial evidence that attaining intrinsic but not extrinsic aspirations is positively related to psychological health and social functioning.

    “Together, these results provide initial evidence that attainment of intrinsic, but not extrinsic, aspirations relates positively to psychological health and social functioning.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The six-construct CFA results indicated that the observed variables related only to their intended latent constructs and that residual variances related as expected, justifying the structural model test.

    “These results suggest that the observed variables relate only to their underlying latent constructs and that the residual variances relate to one another as expected, and therefore provide justification for proceeding to test the hypothesized structural relations (Cole & Maxwell, 2003).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cole & Maxwell, 2003 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Not all goal attainment is beneficial; aspirations with different contents relate differently to psychological health.

    “Discussion focuses on the idea that not all goal attainment is beneficial; rather, attainment of aspirations with different contents relates differentially to psychological health.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The 21-item Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale-General measured autonomy, competence, and relatedness with internal consistency reliabilities from .72 to .83 across Time 1 and Time 2.

    “The reliability for each subscale was as follows: autonomy α = .72 at Time 1 and α = .73 at Time 2, competence α = .73 at both Time 1 and Time 2, and relatedness α = .82 at Time 1 and α = .83 at Time 2.”
    • Also stated in: § Measures · plain
      “The 21-item Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale-General (e.g., Gagné, 2003) assessed satisfaction of autonomy (seven items; e.g., I generally feel free to express my ideas and opinions), competence (six items; e.g., People I know tell me I am good at what I do), and relatedness (eight items; e.g., I get along with people I come into contact with).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gagné, 2003 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Pursuing and attaining intrinsic rather than extrinsic aspirations at a given time facilitates basic need satisfaction and thereby promotes psychological health.

    “More specifically, SDT theorizes that the relations of the two types of aspirations to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs involves two components: first, that satisfaction of the basic psychological needs across development will promote higher importance of intrinsic (rather than extrinsic) aspirations; second, that the pursuit and attainment of intrinsic (rather than extrinsic)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The life satisfaction measure had an internal consistency reliability of .87 at both Time 1 and Time 2.

    “The reliability for this measure was α = .87 at both Time 1 and Time 2.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The anxiety measure had reliability coefficients of .85 at Time 1 and .84 at Time 2.

    “The reliability for this measure was α = .85 at Time 1 and α = .84 at Time 2.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Intrinsic goals express an inherent growth tendency and support satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness; extrinsic goals are pursued as means to separable outcomes and are not directly linked to need satisfaction.

    “The intrinsic factor was so labeled because its goals are expressive of humans' inherent growth tendency and are conducive to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness; the other factor was labeled extrinsic because its goals typically are pursued as a means to some separable outcome and are not directly linked”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kasser & Ryan, 1996 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Most studies of these relations have focused on the link between psychological health and pursuing or valuing intrinsic relative to extrinsic aspirations, with few focusing on attainment.

    “Most of the studies that have examined those relations, however, have focused on the association between psychological health and the pursuit or valuing of intrinsic (relative to extrinsic) aspirations (Kasser, 2002), with very few having focused on the attainment of those aspirations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kasser, 2002

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Most contemporary goal theorists suggest that people feel good when they attain goals and that goal attainment benefits psychological health.

    “Most contemporary goal theorists suggest that people feel good when they attain their goals (Emmons, 1986) and that goal attainment is beneficial to psychological health (Carver & Scheier, 1990; Locke & Latham, 1990).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Emmons, 1986

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Carver & Scheier, 1990
    • cites Locke & Latham, 1990

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The negative affect subscale had reliability coefficients of .88 at Time 1 and .91 at Time 2.

    “the reliability for the negative affect subscale was α = .88 at Time 1 and α = .91 at Time 2.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The positive affect subscale had a reliability of .91 at both Time 1 and Time 2.

    “The reliability for the positive affect subscale was α = .91 at both Time 1 and Time 2;”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Step 1 for mediation was satisfied for the relation of change in intrinsic attainment to change in ill-being, but not for change in extrinsic attainment.

    “Thus, Step 1 for mediation was satisfied for the relation of change in attainment of intrinsic, but not extrinsic, aspirations to change in ill-being.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    All data in the current study were collected with self-report measures.

    “all data were collected with self-report measures.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Past research on goal striving has found that goal attainment relates positively to various indices of psychological health, including positive affect, life satisfaction, and subjective well-being.

    “past research on goal striving that has found that goal attainment relates positively to various indices of psychological health, including positive affect (e.g., Emmons & Diener, 1986), life satisfaction (e.g., Emmons, 1986), and subjective well-being (e.g., Sheldon & Elliot, 1999).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Emmons & Diener, 1986 source
    • cites Emmons, 1986

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Sheldon & Elliot, 1999 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The sample was rather homogenous; most participants were Caucasian Americans and all were recent college graduates.

    “our sample was rather homogenous. Most participants were Caucasian Americans and all were recent college graduates.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Upward social comparisons are associated with lower well-being.

    “as Wheeler and Miyake (1992) reported, upward social comparisons are associated with lower well-being”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wheeler and Miyake (1992) source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The reason for this is that the attainment of intrinsic aspirations is closely related to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, whereas the attainment of extrinsic aspirations is unrelated to basic psychological need satisfaction.

    “the reason for this is that the attainment of intrinsic aspirations is closely related to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, whereas the attainment of extrinsic aspirations is unrelated to basic psychological need satisfaction.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Attainment of intrinsic aspirations is associated with psychological health because those goals are closely related to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

    “it seems that attainment of intrinsic aspirations is associated with psychological health because those goals are closely related to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Considerable work has indicated that the pursuit of extrinsic aspirations is strongly negatively related to mental health.

    “considerable work has indicated that the pursuit of extrinsic aspirations is strongly negatively related to mental health.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Intrinsic attainment showed a positive link to psychological health, whereas extrinsic attainment showed a somewhat negative link.

    “Thus, as hypothesized, attainment of intrinsic aspirations related positively to psychological health, whereas attainment of extrinsic aspirations was somewhat negatively related to psychological health.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Attainment of intrinsic aspirations maintained a strong relation to psychological health when allowed to compete for variance with attainment of extrinsic aspirations because it had a stronger relation to basic psychological need satisfaction.

    “attainment of intrinsic aspirations maintained a strong relation to psychological health when allowed to compete for variance with attainment of extrinsic aspirations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Much research suggests that successful goal attainment is conducive to psychological health.

    “much research suggests that successful goal attainment is conducive to psychological health (e.g., Emmons, 1986)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Emmons, 1986

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The actual attainment of extrinsic aspirations does not interfere with basic psychological need satisfaction, nor does it facilitate such need satisfaction.

    “it seems that the actual attainment of extrinsic aspirations does not interfere with basic psychological need satisfaction, although as our results suggest, neither does it facilitate such need satisfaction.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    To the extent that extrinsic aspirations are out of balance with intrinsic aspirations, their pursuit and attainment are expected to be unrelated to basic psychological need satisfaction and to relate negatively to psychological health.

    “to the extent that extrinsic aspirations are out of balance with intrinsic aspirations, their pursuit and attainment are expected to be unrelated to basic psychological need satisfaction and to relate negatively to psychological health (Ryan, Huta, & Deci, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ryan, Huta, & Deci, 2008 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    All factor loadings in the measurement model were significant (p < .01) and ranged from .56 to .93, with a mean of .73.

    “All factor loadings were significant (p < .01) and ranged in magnitude from .56 to .93 (mean λ = .73).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    From self-determination theory, the content of people's life goals is expected to relate differentially to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, which in turn is expected to predict psychological health.

    “From the perspective of SDT, the content (viz., intrinsic and extrinsic) of people's life goals is expected to relate differentially to satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, which in turn is expected to predict psychological health.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The restricted factorial invariance model showed acceptable fit (χ2(270)=488.84, p<.01; χ2/df=1.81; CFI=.91; NNFI=.88; RMSEA=.06) and did not differ significantly from the baseline model (Δχ2(9)=8.77, p=.46).

    “The restricted model yielded acceptable fit, χ2 (270) = 488.84, p < .01; χ2/df = 1.81; CFI = .91; NNFI = .88; RMSEA = .06. Importantly, this model did not differ significantly from the baseline model, Δχ2 (9) = 8.77, p = .46.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    This past research on goal striving did not consider the content of the goals.

    “this research on goal striving did not consider the content of the goals.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Certain goals are conducive to psychological health, whereas others are not, even when those latter goals are valued and attained.

    “our perspective, which is based on a theory of basic psychological needs (i.e., SDT), suggests that certain goals are conducive to psychological health, whereas others are not, even when those latter goals are valued and attained.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Mediation Step 1 held for the link between change in intrinsic attainment and change in well-being, but not for extrinsic attainment.

    “Thus, Step 1 for mediation was satisfied for the relation of change in attainment of intrinsic, but not extrinsic, aspirations to change in well-being.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Change in attainment of extrinsic aspirations does not relate positively to change in psychological health, presumably because it does not relate positively to change in satisfaction of the basic psychological needs.

    “change in attainment of extrinsic aspirations does not relate positively to change in psychological health, presumably because it does not relate positively to change in satisfaction of the basic psychological needs”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Attainment of extrinsic aspirations has no impact on well-being and actually contributes to ill-being.

    “these findings are rather striking, as they suggest that attainment of a particular set of goals (viz., extrinsic aspirations) has no impact on well-being and actually contributes to ill-being.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Findings based on the self-concordance model suggest that personal strivings and personal projects pursued for more autonomous reasons are more likely to be attained, and that attainment of self-concordant goals is particularly conducive to enhanced subjective well-being over time.

    “Findings based on the self-concordance model suggest that personal strivings (Emmons, 1986) and personal projects (Little, 1993) that are pursued for more autonomous reasons are more likely to be attained, and that attainment of self-concordant goals is particularly conducive to enhanced subjective well-being over time (e.g., Sheldon & Elliot, 1998, 1999; Sheldon & Houser-Marko, 2001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Emmons, 1986

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Little, 1993

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Sheldon & Elliot, 1998, 1999

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Links between changes in latent constructs reflect real change in those constructs, not differences in how participants interpreted or reported the observed variables across the two waves.

    “which suggests that any associations between change in latent constructs are due to actual change in the constructs (Hertzog & Nesselroade, 2003), rather than to differences in how participants understood and/or reported the observed variables at Time 1 and Time 2.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hertzog & Nesselroade, 2003 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The findings were correlational and do not provide evidence for the direction of effects among the constructs under investigation.

    “our findings were correlational, so they do not provide evidence for the direction of effects among the constructs under investigation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
62 of 62

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Life goals, or aspirations, organize and direct behavior over extended periods of time.

    “Life goals, or aspirations, organize and direct behavior over extended periods of time.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The post-college transition is a critical developmental period in which individuals can begin implementing the goals they have adopted and internalized.

    “This is a critical developmental period that marks people's transition into their adult identities and lives, as during this time individuals actually can begin to implement the goals they have adopted and internalized.”
2 of 2

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentt(132) = 2.39reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .018

    “t (132) = 2.39, p < .05”

  • Consistentt(141) = 2.24reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .027

    “t (141) = 2.24, p < .05”

  • Consistentχ²(147) = 251.19reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (147) = 251.19, p < .01”

  • Consistentχ²(155) = 262.52reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (155) = 262.52, p < .01”

  • Consistentχ²(258) = 507.18reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (258) = 507.18, p < .01”

  • Consistentχ²(260) = 507.93reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (260) = 507.93, p < .01”

  • Consistentχ²(269) = 512.59reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (269) = 512.59, p < .01”

  • Consistentχ²(9) = 4.65reported p = .86 · recomputed p = .864

    “χ2 (9) = 4.65, p = .86”

  • Consistentχ²(258) = 479.55reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (258) = 479.55, p < .01”

  • Consistentχ²(261) = 480.07reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (261) = 480.07, p < .01”

  • Consistentχ²(270) = 488.84reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (270) = 488.84, p < .01”

  • Consistentχ²(9) = 8.77reported p = .46 · recomputed p = .459

    “χ2 (9) = 8.77, p = .46”

12 of 12

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Self-check results appear here once an independent check has confirmed them.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

15 of the 98 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Martin, 1986, Tolerance of injustice, Vol. 4, 217

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Niemiec, C. P., Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L.
Affiliations
University of Rochester (US)
Corresponding author
Niemiec, Christopher P.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Research in Personality
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-06
Volume
43
Issue
3
Pages
291-306
ISSN
0092-6566 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jrp.2008.09.001
PMC
PMC2736104
OpenAlex
W2102234947
Cited by
509
References
98
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 28
FWCI
21.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Research in Personality (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH053385)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Human Behavior and Motivation
Keywords
intrinsic aspirations, goal achievement, life goals, self-determination theory, mental health, ill-being, basic psychological needs, autonomy, competence, relatedness, coming of age

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-09-29.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-29.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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