Group Goals Themselves Are Inducing Agents
Previously, we discussed the tension systems linked to a goal. It seems that when a group accepts a goal, those who most strongly accept the goal display a strong need to have the group achieve its goals. Acceptance of the goal is for them an inducing agent (Horwitz, 1954).
However, if the group goal is not accepted by a significant section of the group, there is likely to be a high incidence of self-oriented and resistant behavior rather than group-oriented behavior, with activities being coordinated to personal rather than group goals. In a study that examined the motivational effects of feedback and goal setting on group performance, Watson (1983) found that explicit goal setting improved group performance and was a significant factor even where no feedback was given.
In a study of the role of goal setting and its influence on self-efficacy, or the individual's power to produce an effect on group goals, Lee (1989) found that the performance of a female college field hockey team was related to the team's winning percentage. It seems that setting an explicit group goal elicits significant motivation to reach the group's goals: to win.
Further supporting the hypothesis that goal setting is a major factor in inducing better group performance, Harlow (1989) reports that groups with specific goals outperform those who are asked simply to do their best.