THE INFLUENCE OF GOAL ORIENTATION ON TASK-PERFORMANCE - A SUBSTANTIVELY MEANINGFUL SUPPRESSOR VARIABLE

The present study investigated the relationship between performance go al orientation and performance on a complex task. It was hypothesized that cognitive interference would mediate this relationship. In additi on, it was hypothesized that cognitive ability would moderate the rela tionship between cognitive interference and task performance. A three- variable suppressor relationship indicated that, although the direct e ffect of performance goal orientation on performance was one that prod uced better performance, the indirect effect of performance goal orien tation indicated that performance orientations were associated with in creases in cognitive interference, and these increases in cognitive in terference were associated with poorer performance. Thus, the benefici al aspect of performance goal orientation (i.e., the direct effect) wa s counterbalanced by the dysfunctional aspects of performance goal ori entation (i.e., the associated increase in cognitive interference). Su pport was also found for the proposed moderation of ability on the cog nitive interference-task performance relationship for final, but not i nitial performance. The results are interpreted in light of recent dis cussions regarding the influence of goal orientation on task performan ce and cognitive interference.