Edwin A. Locke
Encyclopedia
Professor Edwin A Locke is an American psychologist and a pioneer in goal-setting theory. He is a retired Dean’s Professor of Motivation and Leadership at the Robert H. Smith School of Business
at the University of Maryland, College Park
. He was also affiliated with the Department of Psychology. The Association for Psychological Science
has praised him, saying, "Locke is the most published organizational psychologist in the history of the field. His pioneering research has advanced and enriched our understanding of work motivation and job satisfaction
. The theory that is synonymous with his name — goal-setting theory — is perhaps the most widely-respected theory in industrial-organizational psychology. His 1976 chapter on job satisfaction continues to be one of the most highly-cited pieces of work in the field."
Locke is a proponent of global capitalism, was personally acquainted with the philosopher
Ayn Rand
and is affiliated with the Ayn Rand Institute
. In recent years, he has become an outspoken opponent of the animal rights movement, especially the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
. In a winter 2010 interview with Imagineer Magazine, he stated: "I don’t think PETA want all beings equal at all; I think they want man to suffer and die."
In 1964 Locke started working as an associate research scientist in the American Research Institutes. In 1966 he became a research scientist there, a position he maintained until 1970.
Locke started his teaching career in 1967, as an assistant professor of Psychology in the University of Maryland. In 1970 he became associate professor of Business Administration in the University of Maryland. Between 1972 and 2001 he help a number of posts in the University of Maryland: 1972-2001- Professor of Business and Management, and of Psychology. 1984-1996- Chair, management and Organization Faculty. 1998-2001- Dean's Professor of Leadership and Motivation. Since 2001 Locke has been acting as Professor Emeritus
in the University of Maryland
.
Throughout his career, Professor Locke has published over 260 chapters, books and articles.
The two most important findings of this theory are that setting specific goals (e.g. I want to earn 500 more a month) generates higher levels of performance than setting general goals ( e.g. I want to earn more money), and that goals that are hard to achieve are linearly and positively connected to performance. The harder the goal, the more a person will work to reach it. However, such influences on performance are mediated by two conditions- Feedback, and that the person in question accepts the goal.
A goal is described as reaching a great certain level of efficiency in a certain bath, usually under a time limit. Goals have two characteristics- the goal's content, and the goal's intensity. The content refers to what we actually want to achieve (e.g. I want to earn 500 more a month). The intensity refers to the amount of physical and mental resources needed to create and achieve the content. The original model proposed by Locke consisted of 5 steps: Environmental Stimuli → Cognition → Evaluation → Intentions\ Goal Setting → Performance.
(Human Resources Division)
Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award from the University of Maryland
James Mckeen Cattell Fellow Award, Association for Psychological Science
, the American Psychological Society,
the Academy of Management
, the Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology and the Society for Organizational Behavior
Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is a school of business management within the University of Maryland, College Park. The school was named after alumnus Robert H. Smith...
at the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. He was also affiliated with the Department of Psychology. The Association for Psychological Science
Association for Psychological Science
The Association for Psychological Science , previously the American Psychological Society, is a non-profit international organization whose mission is to promote, protect, and advance the interests of scientifically oriented psychology in research, application, teaching, and the improvement of...
has praised him, saying, "Locke is the most published organizational psychologist in the history of the field. His pioneering research has advanced and enriched our understanding of work motivation and job satisfaction
Job satisfaction
Job satisfaction describes how content an individual is with his /her job. The happier people are within their job, the more satisfied they are said to be. Job satisfaction is not the same as motivation or aptitude, although it is clearly linked...
. The theory that is synonymous with his name — goal-setting theory — is perhaps the most widely-respected theory in industrial-organizational psychology. His 1976 chapter on job satisfaction continues to be one of the most highly-cited pieces of work in the field."
Locke is a proponent of global capitalism, was personally acquainted with the philosopher
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She is known for her two best-selling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and for developing a philosophical system she called Objectivism....
and is affiliated with the Ayn Rand Institute
Ayn Rand Institute
The Ayn Rand Institute: The Center for the Advancement of Objectivism is a 501 nonprofit think tank in Irvine, California that promotes Ayn Rand's philosophy, called Objectivism. It was established in 1985, three years after Rand's death, by Leonard Peikoff, Rand's legal heir...
. In recent years, he has become an outspoken opponent of the animal rights movement, especially the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
. In a winter 2010 interview with Imagineer Magazine, he stated: "I don’t think PETA want all beings equal at all; I think they want man to suffer and die."
Academia
Locke received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Harvard in 1960. He received his MA in Industrial Psychology and Experimental Psychology in 1962 and his PhD in Industrial Psychology in 1964. Both degrees were from Cornell. Locke's doctoral dissertation was on the relationship of intentions to motivation and affect.In 1964 Locke started working as an associate research scientist in the American Research Institutes. In 1966 he became a research scientist there, a position he maintained until 1970.
Locke started his teaching career in 1967, as an assistant professor of Psychology in the University of Maryland. In 1970 he became associate professor of Business Administration in the University of Maryland. Between 1972 and 2001 he help a number of posts in the University of Maryland: 1972-2001- Professor of Business and Management, and of Psychology. 1984-1996- Chair, management and Organization Faculty. 1998-2001- Dean's Professor of Leadership and Motivation. Since 2001 Locke has been acting as Professor Emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
in the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
.
Throughout his career, Professor Locke has published over 260 chapters, books and articles.
Theories
The Goal Setting Theory was developed by Locke in 1968, in order to explain human actions in specific work situations. The theory argues that goals and intentions are cognitive and willful, and that they serve as mediators of human actions and that our needs and our goals are mediated by our values, which determine what is beneficial for us.The two most important findings of this theory are that setting specific goals (e.g. I want to earn 500 more a month) generates higher levels of performance than setting general goals ( e.g. I want to earn more money), and that goals that are hard to achieve are linearly and positively connected to performance. The harder the goal, the more a person will work to reach it. However, such influences on performance are mediated by two conditions- Feedback, and that the person in question accepts the goal.
A goal is described as reaching a great certain level of efficiency in a certain bath, usually under a time limit. Goals have two characteristics- the goal's content, and the goal's intensity. The content refers to what we actually want to achieve (e.g. I want to earn 500 more a month). The intensity refers to the amount of physical and mental resources needed to create and achieve the content. The original model proposed by Locke consisted of 5 steps: Environmental Stimuli → Cognition → Evaluation → Intentions\ Goal Setting → Performance.
Awards
The Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the Academy of ManagementAcademy of Management
The Academy of Management is a professional association for scholars dedicated to creating and disseminating knowledge about management and organizations. The Academy of Management was established in 1936...
(Human Resources Division)
Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award from the University of Maryland
James Mckeen Cattell Fellow Award, Association for Psychological Science
Association for Psychological Science
The Association for Psychological Science , previously the American Psychological Society, is a non-profit international organization whose mission is to promote, protect, and advance the interests of scientifically oriented psychology in research, application, teaching, and the improvement of...
Attainments
Fellow of the American Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
, the American Psychological Society,
the Academy of Management
Academy of Management
The Academy of Management is a professional association for scholars dedicated to creating and disseminating knowledge about management and organizations. The Academy of Management was established in 1936...
, the Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology and the Society for Organizational Behavior