An Enumerative Review and a Meta-Analysis of Primed Goal Effects on Organizational Behavior

Drawing on results from 32 published and 20 unpublished laboratory and field experiments, we conducted an enumerative review of the primed goal effects on performance and need for achievement, two dependent variables of organizational relevance. The enumerative review suggests that goal setting theory is as applicable for subconscious goals as it is for consciously set goals. A meta-analysis of 23 of the experiments (n = 4,543, k = 61) revealed that priming an achievement goal, relative to a no-prime control condition, significantly improves task/job performance (d = 0.45) and the need for achievement (d = 0.62). Three moderators of the primed goal-performance relationship were identified: (1) context-specific vs. a general prime, (2) prime modality (i.e., visual vs. linguistic), and (3) experimental setting (i.e., field vs. laboratory). Significantly stronger primed goal effects were obtained for context-specific primes, visual stimuli, and field experiments. Theoretical and managerial implications of and future directions for goal priming are discussed.

Automated summary

A review of 32 published and 20 unpublished experiments found that priming an achievement goal significantly improves task performance and the need for achievement. Furthermore, context-specific primes, visual stimuli, and field experiments were identified to have stronger effects on goal priming.