The Influence of Close Others in Daily Goal Pursuit

This study tested the hypothesis that daily contact with close others during goal pursuit would activate relationally autonomous reasons and would also be associated with the corresponding levels of goal effort. We also hypothesized that the association would be strongest among highly relational and agreeable people. Participants (n ¼ 49) completed self-construal and agreeableness assessments at a face-to-face session, then they completed daily reports of relational motives, contact with close and distant others, and goal effort daily for the next 6 days online. The results of hierarchical linear modeling analysis showed that contact with friends and family members were associated with the corresponding levels of effort among highly relational people. Only contact with parents was associated with the corresponding effort among highly agreeable people. Contact with friends and family was also associated with daily levels of relationally autonomous motives, but not relationally controlled motives. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed