Introduction

Abstract Abstract: This introduction reviews the principles of Goal Systems Theory (GST): people choose means that maximize goal attainment, and an increase in the number of goals that a given means serves (or the number of means that are connected to a given goal), decreases a goal-means association. Next, the authors review the four basic configurations of goal systems: equifinality, multifinality, unifinality, and counterfinality. Finally, the authors summarize some of the research inspired by GST and provide a peek into the discoveries in this book.