Self‐regulation through Goal Setting*
基于两个典型事实（目标作为绩效参照点、现时偏向偏好导致自我控制问题），研究了人们为何及如何设定目标，揭示了目标作为自我调节工具的力量与局限。
Abstract Goals are an important motivator. But little is known about why and how people set them. We address this issue in a model based on two stylized facts. First, goals serve as reference points for performance. Second, present‐biased preferences create self‐control problems. We show the power and limits of self‐regulation through goals. Goals increase an individual's motivation—but only up to a certain point. Furthermore, they are painful self‐disciplining devices. Thus, greater self‐control problems may result in tougher goals; but for a severe present bias goals either lack a motivating force, or are too painful to be accepted.