RELATIONSHIP OF GOAL-SETTING, SELF-EFFICACY, AND SELF-EVALUATION IN DYSPHORIC AND SOCIALLY ANXIOUS WOMEN

This study examined the relation between goal setting and self-efficac y and self-evaluation of interpersonal performance. Twelve dysphoric, 12 socially anxious, and 12 normal undergraduate women participated in videotaped interactions with normal female partners. Measures of goal setting and self-efficacy were obtained prior to the interactions and each member of the dyad evaluated her performance, as well as her par tner's performance immediately after the interaction. Objective observ ers also rated each partner's performance. The groups did not differ i n personal goals or evaluations of their own performance. Observer rat ings did not indicate differences in social competence among the three groups. When self-efficacy was considered, dysphoric and socially anx ious subjects had larger discrepancies between their goals and efficac y ratings than normal subjects. Although dysphoric and socially anxiou s individuals did not set perfectionistic goals they did set higher go als than they believed they could achieve.