Self–Criticism, Goal Motivation, and Goal Progress

The current research examined the relations among self–criticism, autonomous versus controlled motivations, and goal progress. Recent researchers have suggested that self–critics are less autonomously motivated, that is, that their goals are less tied to their interests and personal meaning than is true for other individuals, and that the effects of self–criticism on goal progress are mediated by lower levels of autonomous motivation. The results of two short–term, prospective studies conducted in the United States and Canada indicated that self–criticism was negatively associated with goal progress, while autonomous motivation was positively associated with goal progress in one study and marginally associated in the other. The results demonstrated an association between self–criticism and controlled motivation but not autonomous motivation, and they suggest that self–criticism and autonomy act independently on goal progress. In addition, the results indicated an association between self–criticism and rumination and procrastination that appears to mediate the impact of self–criticism on goal progress. These results highlight the need for consideration of both personality and motivational influences in the study of goal pursuits.