magazine issue 6 2011 / Issue 12

General action and inaction goals: Definitions & effects

• written by Melanie B. Tannenbaum, Justin Hepler & Dolores Albarracin
• edited by Ashley Waggoner Denton

Conclusion

In the past, most of the research dealing with goals and motivation has addressed specific ways in which certain attitudes, intentions, and goals impact directly relevant behaviors. However, recent research demonstrates that it is crucial to focus on how general goals to “be active” or “be inactive” may impact people’s behavior across domains. As previously mentioned, there is a strong possibility that many current exercise campaigns could subconsciously motivate people to overeat, engage in drug use, or participate in active, risky behavior. As this is still a burgeoning line of research, there are many more connections that still need to be examined, such as the relations between action/inaction goals and power, genetic/cultural precursors, specific goal pursuit, mindsets, and the influence of material resources on behavior. It is also interesting to consider the previously discussed religious, cultural, and regional-level differences, and how these are rich environmental goal sources. Future research should flesh out these connections to fully understand how broad, general-domain goals can influence specific human motivation and behavior.

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