ABSTRACT
Goal research has documented the significant role of goals in people’s choices, evaluations, and emotions (Carver & Scheier, 1998; Deci & Ryan, 1985; Fishbach & Ferguson, 2007; Gollwitzer, 1990; Higgins, 1997; Kruglanski, 1996; Locke & Latham, 1990; Mischel, Cantor, & Feldman, 1996). In recent years, the main emphasis of goal research has been on the nonconscious processes of goal pursuit (Aarts & Dijksterhuis, 2000; Chartrand & Bargh, 1996; Ferguson & Bargh, 2004; Moskowitz, 2002). This research has yielded important insights into the factors that activate a goal, how the goal influences choice of goal-related actions, the positive evaluation of goal-facilitating actions and the devaluation of goal-inhibiting actions, and how success or failure at pursuing a goal influences a person’s emotional states.
