Final answer:
The impact of task complexity on goal setting is informed by the optimal arousal level for performance, with difficult tasks requiring lower arousal and simple tasks requiring higher arousal. This understanding guides how individuals or groups set goals and strategize to achieve them, often by breaking complex tasks into smaller steps.
Step-by-step explanation:
How simple vs complex tasks affect goal setting is a topic deeply rooted in psychological understanding of motivation and performance. According to the Yerkes-Dodson law, the optimal arousal for performing a task depends on its complexity. For difficult tasks, lower levels of arousal are ideal while simple tasks are best performed under higher levels of arousal. Consequently, when setting goals, it's crucial to recognize the nature of the task at hand.
In group settings, complex tasks can mitigate social loafing because individuals recognize their contribution as essential, prompting them to take action with substance. Conversely, when a task is deemed easy and individual performance is less discernable, there may be less incentive to perform effectively, which might lead to social loafing.
Breaking down a large and complex goal into smaller, more manageable tasks is an effective heuristic that can help in achieving overall goals. This approach makes a task less overwhelming, allows for easier management, and can reduce anxiety associated with the task's complexity. Therefore, in goal setting, the task's difficulty should inform the strategy of how to approach and complete the work.