Changing Group Goals
Goals in the broadest sense include a future-oriented perspective. Sometimes group goals are inappropriate and should be re-examined and changed, but goals, like norms, are difficult to change. However, it is more likely that new goals will be supported, with concomitant implementation, if there is active discussion in creation of the new goals. If those to be involved at a later date in carrying out the new policies or procedures are also involved in setting them, it is more likely that they will integrate the new goals into their personal goal structures. Where behavior change is desired, setting goals through group discussion is more effective than separate instruction of individual members, external requests, or imposition of new practices by a superior.
Erez, Earley, and Hulin (1985) tested the hypothesis that the level of group acceptance increases as the level of participation increases and, further, that increased participation in goal acceptance increases performance. In one study, they asked college students to work on a simulated scheduling task under four conditions. In another study, they used animal caretakers to determine whether involvement in goal setting would increase goal acceptance. Findings in both studies supported the hypothesis: "Participative and representative goal setting significantly increased individual goal acceptance, and individual goal acceptance significantly contributed to performance."