Encouraging the pursuit of alternative sub-goals:

Exploring the hierarchy of goals

Abstract

Research has consistently demonstrated that failing to attain a sub-goal linked to a higher-level goal can undermine the pursuit of alternative sub-goals. In response to this phenomenon, this study tested the hypothesis that increasing awareness of the relationship between superordinate and sub-goals, or the goal hierarchy, enhances the determination to pursue alternative sub-goals when a particular sub-goal remains unachieved. In Study 1, “maintaining health” was the superordinate goal for an adult sample (n = 421). In Study 2, “enhancing creativity” was the superordinate goal for another adult sample (n = 361). The findings provided robust support for the hypothesis. Consequently, this research established that encountering setbacks in achieving one sub-goal may compromise the pursuit of related sub-goals. However, introducing a hierarchy of goals can invigorate the pursuit of alternative sub-goals, facilitating progress towards the overarching goal. These findings underscore the significance of occasionally shifting strategies to optimize goal achievement and attain a goal rather than persisting with the same means (sub-goals). This study suggests that introducing a hierarchy of goals may promote abandoning difficult-to-achieve goals.