Social Goals: Retrospect and Prospect

Abstract

Past studies on goals have mostly focused on achievement goals, with social goals receiving relatively less attention. This chapter aims to look back at past research on social goals and map out future developments. More specifically, the aims of this chapter were to: (1) survey the various research traditions on social goals, (2) proffer a working definition of social goals, (3) develop a conceptual framework that elucidates the antecedents, consequences, and moderators of social goals, (4) map out directions for future research, and (5) suggest practical implications of social goal research. Three distinct research traditions on social goals--goal content, social-academic, and social achievement goal approaches were reviewed. We identified a range of individual and context factors that could serve as possible antecedents of social goals and elucidated how social goals could influence both academic and nonacademic outcomes. The chapter ends with key questions that await further research.