Goal Fulfillment and Goal Targets in Sequential Choice

Abstract

This article examines the effect of goal fulfillment on choices made in the context of an ongoing sequence of experiences. We find that a good first experience produces an upward shift in the target level of goal achievement. When a higher level of goal attainment is offered by a risky option, that option will be preferred more following a good experience than following a bad experience. Several studies show that this pattern applies only to risk related to the content of the active goal and only to risk that offers the possibility of a higher level of goal achievement than a riskless option.