As anyone who has tried to lose weight knows, realistic goal-setting generally produces the best results. That's partially because it appears people who set realistic goals actually work more efficiently, and exert more effort, to achieve those goals.

　　What's far less understood by scientists, however, are the potentially harmful effects of goal-setting.

　　Newspapers relay daily accounts of goal-setting prevalent in industries and businesses up and down both Wall Street and Main Street , yet there has been surprisingly little research on how the long-trumpeted practice of setting goals may have contributed to the current economic crisis , and unethical (不道德的)behavior in general.

　　“Goals are widely used and promoted as having really beneficial effects. And yet, the same motivation that can push people to exert more effort in a constructive way could also motivate people to be more likely to engage in unethical behaviors,” says Maurice Schweitzer, an associate professor at Penn’s Wharton School.

　　“It turns out there’s no economic benefit to just having a goal---you just get a psychological benefit” Schweitzer says. “But in many cases, goals have economic rewards that make them more powerful.”

　　A prime example Schweitzer and his colleagues cite is the 2004 collapse of energy-trading giant Enron, where managers used financial incentives to motivate salesmen to meet specific revenue goals. The problem, Schweitzer says, is the actual trades were not profitable.

　　Other studies have shown that saddling employees with unrealistic goals can compel them to lie, cheat or steal. Such was the case in the early 1990s when Sears imposed a sales quota on its auto repair staff. It prompted employees to overcharge for work and to complete unnecessary repairs on a companywide basis.

　　Schweitzer concedes his research runs counter to a very large body of literature that commends the many benefits of goal-setting. Advocates of the practice have taken issue with his team’s use of such evidence as news accounts to support his conclusion that goal-setting is widely over-prescribed

　　In a rebuttal (反驳) paper, Dr. Edwin Locke writes:“Goal-setting is not going away. Organizations cannot thrive without being focused on their desired end results any more than an individual can thrive without goals to provide a sense of purpose.”

　　But Schweitzer contends the “mounting causal evidence” linking goal-setting and harmful behavior should be studied to help spotlight issues that merit caution and further investigation. “Even a few negative effects could be so large that they outweigh many positive effects,” he says.

　　“Goal-setting does help coordinate and motivate people. My idea would be to combine that with careful oversight, a strong organizational culture, and make sure the goals that you use are going to be constructive and not significantly harm the organization,” Schweitzer says.

1.What message does the author try to convey about goal-setting?

A Its negative effects have long been neglected.

B The goal increase people’s work efficiency.

C Its role has been largely underestimated.

D The goals most people set are unrealistic.

解析：选A。A. Its negative effects have long been neglected。

2.What does Maurice Schweitzer want to show by citing the example of Enron?

A Setting realistic goals can turn a failing business into success.

B Businesses are less likely to succeed without setting realistic goals.

C Financial incentives ensure companies meet specific revenue goals.

D Goals with financial rewards have strong motivational power.

解析：选D。D. Goals with financial rewards have strong motivational power.

3.How did Sears’ goal-setting affect its employees?

A They were obliged to work more hours to increase their sales.

B They competed with one another to attract more customers.

C They resorted to unethical practice to meet their sales quota.

D They improved their customer service on a company wide basis.

解析：选C。C. They resorted to unethical practice to meet their sales quota.

4.What do advocates of goal-setting think of Schweitzer’s research?

A Its findings are not of much practical value.

B It exaggerates the side effects of goal-setting.

C Its conclusion is not based on solid scientific evidence.

D It runs counter to the existing literature on the subject.

解析：选C。C. Its conclusion is not based on solid scientific evidence.

5.What is Schweitzer’s contention against Edwin Locke?

A The link between goal-setting and harmful behavior deserves further study.

B Goal-setting has become too deep-rooted in corporate culture.

C The positive effects of goal-setting outweigh its negative effects.

D Studying goal-setting can throw more light on successful business practices.

解析：选D。D. Studying goal-setting can throw more light on successful business practices.