Looking Back or Looking Ahead: Metamotivational Beliefs About Progress Framing in Goal Pursuit

Abstract

We are often told that if we keep our eyes on the prize, we will achieve our goals. However, research on the dynamics of self-regulation has established that whether it helps to focus on the starting line or the finish line depends on how committed people are to their goals: if commitment is strong, focusing on remaining progress (“to-go” information) is more motivating, whereas if commitment is weak, focusing on accumulated progress (“to-date” information) is more motivating. Yet research has not systematically examined whether people recognize and leverage these progress framing strategies based on their commitment strength. Across seven studies (N = 2,792), I applied a metamotivational approach to examine the nature and normative accuracy of people’s beliefs about progress framing and whether these beliefs manifest in or are related to behavioural and self-regulatory outcomes. Studies 1 and 2 found that people’s beliefs about progress framing aligned with normative effects observed in the literature on average, though with substantial variability. Studies 3-5 explored whether beliefs manifest in consequential choices. Study 3 found that people made differential progress framing choices as a function of their own commitment levels for personal goals. However, Studies 4 and 5 failed to replicate this pattern when commitment was experimentally manipulated in lab contexts or when making recommendations for others. Studies 6 and 7 investigated links between beliefs and outcomes, finding no relationship with goal progress (Studies 6 and 7) or life satisfaction (Study 6), though more normatively accurate beliefs were associated with experiencing less distress and difficulty during goal pursuit (Study 7). These findings demonstrate that while people possess a nuanced understanding of progress framing strategies, translating this knowledge into improved self-regulatory outcomes remains complex. By examining the nature and implications of people’s progress framing beliefs, this research offers novel contributions to the field of motivation science with valuable insights for goal pursuit and motivation regulation.