Cited by 981Psychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionMotivation and Self-Concept in SportsHuman Behavior and Motivation

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The Independent Effects of Goal Contents and Motives on Well-Being: It’s Both What You Pursue and Why You Pursue It

Sheldon, Kennon M., Ryan, Richard M., Deci, Edward L., Kasser, Tim·2004·Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

DOI 10.1177/0146167203261883

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Abstract

The assertion that both the content of goals and the motives behind goals affect psychological well-being has been controversial. Three studies examined this issue directly, showing that both what goals people pursue (i.e., whether they strive for extrinsic vs. intrinsic goal contents) and why people pursue them (i.e., whether they strive for autonomous vs. controlled motives) make significant independent contributions to psychological well-being. The pattern emerged in between-person and within-person studies of cross-sectional well-being and also emerged in a year-long study of prospective change in well-being. Implications for prescriptive theories of happiness are discussed.

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10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497 · DOI · Paper page
10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.56 · DOI
10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68 · DOI · Paper page
10.1037/0022-3514.68.3.531 · DOI

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Authors: Sheldon, K. M., Ryan, R. M., Deci, E. L., & Kasser, T.
Affiliations: University of Missouri (US)
University of Rochester (US)
Knox College (US)
Corresponding author: Sheldon, Kennon M.
ORCID: Sheldon, Kennon M.
Ryan, Richard M.
Deci, Edward L.
Kasser, Tim
Venue: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2004-04
Volume: 30
Issue: 4
Pages: 475-486
ISSN: 0146-1672 (ISSN-L)
1552-7433
DOI: 10.1177/0146167203261883
OpenAlex: W2122394990
Cited by: 981
References: 48
Citations by year: 2026: 28 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 51 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 125 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 103 · 2017: 48 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 45 · 2012: 51
FWCI: 27.35
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH053385, MH-53385)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Human Behavior and Motivation
Keywords: goal content, psychological well-being, intrinsic goals, extrinsic goals, autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, self-determination theory, happiness, within-person change
MeSH terms: Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Goals, Happiness, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Prospective Studies, Self Concept

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The Independent Effects of Goal Contents and Motives on Well-Being: It’s Both What You Pursue and Why You Pursue It

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