Cecil alec mace: The man who discovered goal-setting

Abstract

Cecil Alec Mace was a pioneer in advancing British industrial psychology during the inter-war period. His many contributions include helping to move British psychology away from its domination by philosophy methodologies to the use of experimental procedures. He helped discredit the concept that the paycheck is the dominate work incentive, developed the notion of working because of “control from around,” and enunciated the position that people have a “will to work” that can be released under certain circumstances. However, another of Mace's contributions particularly stands out. It remains essentially unchanged after more than 50 years of development. In 1935, Mace conducted the first experimental studies of goal-setting and in the following years set out many of the basic principles that are taught today. Influences which persuaded Mace to conduct these studies are identified, and his experimental studies are reviewed and compared to the findings of contemporary goal-setting researchers. Several historical obstacles to the dissemination of his works are noted to explain the inattention that some of Mace's pioneering work has received.

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