Cited by 7,766Education, Achievement, and GiftednessHuman Behavior and MotivationBehavioral Health and Interventions

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Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey.

Locke, Edwin A., Latham, Gary P.·2002·American Psychologist

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Abstract

The authors summarize 35 years of empirical research on goal-setting theory, describing the core findings of the theory, the mechanisms by which goals operate, moderators of goal effects, the relation of goals and satisfaction, and the role of goals as mediators of incentives.

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Authors: Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P.
Affiliations: University of Maryland, College Park (US)
ORCID: Locke, Edwin A.
Latham, Gary P.
Venue: American Psychologist
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2002-09
Volume: 57
Issue: 9
Pages: 705-717
ISSN: 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
1935-990X
DOI: 10.1037/0003-066x.57.9.705
OpenAlex: W4237356565
Cited by: 7,766
References: 131
Citations by year: 2026: 527 · 2025: 509 · 2024: 464 · 2023: 511 · 2022: 428 · 2021: 456 · 2020: 540 · 2019: 467 · 2018: 460 · 2017: 421 · 2016: 395 · 2015: 408 · 2014: 370 · 2013: 313 · 2012: 333
FWCI: 59.32
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Human Behavior and Motivation
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
Keywords: goal setting, task motivation, motivation theories, goal difficulty, goal specificity, feedback, task difficulty
MeSH terms: Goals, Humans, Motivation, Psychological Theory

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Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey.

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