What goal-setting technique explained why a larger proportion of one group of university staff members attended a health and safety training session, compared to the lower attendance seen in a second group of staff members?

The rationale behind why a higher proportion of one group of university staff members attended a health and safety training session relates to the concept of commitment to a goal. When individuals are more committed to a particular goal, they are likely to invest more effort and resources to achieve it. Commitment can stem from various factors, such as the perceived importance of the goal, personal values aligning with the goal, or a strong organizational culture that emphasizes the necessity of attending training.

In this context, if one group demonstrated higher attendance at the training, it suggests that their commitment to the goal of attending was greater, likely due to the environment or message conveyed to them regarding the significance of health and safety. This sense of commitment likely motivated them to prioritize the training session over other responsibilities or competing interests.

On the other hand, the other techniques mentioned—such as setting a more difficult goal, a more specific goal, or providing feedback about progress—may contribute to motivation and performance but do not inherently encompass the motivation driven by commitment. While these elements can enhance goal attainment, they are secondary to the foundational aspect of commitment, which serves as a driving force for attendance and participation in such training sessions.