In Goal-Setting Theory, feedback is essential for ensuring goals that are what?

• A. General and flexible
• B. Specific, challenging, and accepted
• C. Ambiguous and unclear
• D. Easy and unambitious

Answer: (B)

The concept behind this item is that feedback helps shape goals so they are specific, challenging, and accepted by the person. When goals are specific, you know exactly what success looks like and how progress will be measured, which makes actions clear. Feedback provides ongoing information about progress, so you can adjust behaviors and stay on a path that is precise rather than vague.

Choosing a goal that is challenging keeps motivation high, because it requires effort and growth without being impossible. Regular feedback helps determine whether the goal sits at the right difficulty level, allowing adjustments to keep the stretch attainable and engaging. Acceptance, or commitment, means the individual buys into the goal and owns the effort required. Feedback reinforces this sense of ownership by showing progress and personal relevance, which sustains persistence.

For example, aiming to walk 8,000 steps daily by the end of the month is specific and measurable, and if a client agrees to it, they’re more likely to stay committed. Feedback on daily steps lets them see whether they’re meeting the target, adjust routines, and maintain motivation.

The other options don’t align with how feedback functions in goal setting: vague or general aims lack clear direction and cannot be effectively guided by feedback; ambiguous goals are inherently unclear and undermine progress; easy and unambitious goals fail to drive growth and engagement.