Goal interdependence

• Research on ‘self-regulation’ typically views goal pursuit as a ‘self’ process.
• The Transactive Goal Dynamics model offers a new conceptualization of goal pursuit.
• This model and recent research suggest that goal dynamics are inherently social.
• People set, pursue, and achieve goals targeted at their own and others’ outcomes.

With friends, family members, romantic partners, and coworkers, people form interdependent units, shaping each other's everyday experiences. According to the Transactive Goal Dynamics model, goal pursuit occurs within these units, not apart from them. As a result, a great deal of goal pursuit is interpersonally driven and influenced. Although historically, social psychological research has focused on the intrapersonal drivers of goal pursuit, recent research has also highlighted the interpersonal drivers. In this article, we review research that goes beyond the independent agent view of goal pursuit, exploring how people possess and pursue goals that are affected by and oriented toward their relationship partners.