What is goal specificity?
Goal specificity refers to the extent to which an explicit goal exists to which problem-solving activities are directed. Past studies have shown that goal specificity inhibits the development of schematic representations. Using computer-simulated navigation about a novel campus environment, goal specificity was found to interfere with the acquisition of survey knowledge. Practically speaking, this implies that when getting to a goal is of primary concern, the development of survey knowledge may be inhibited even after extensive direct experience.
