Cecil Alec Mace

Cecil Alec Mace

Name	Cecil Alec Mace
Birth name
Birth date	22 July 1894
Birth place	Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England
Death date	7 June 1971
Death place	London, England
Alma mater
Occupation	Philosopher, Psychologist
Years active
Organization
Known for	Research on motivation and goal setting
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Cecil Alec Mace (22 July 1894 – 7 June 1971) was a British philosopher and psychologist, renowned for his pioneering work in the field of motivation and goal setting. His research has had a lasting impact on the study of human behavior and organizational psychology.

Early Life and Education

Cecil Alec Mace was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England. He pursued his higher education at the University of Birmingham, where he developed a keen interest in philosophy and psychology. Mace's academic journey was interrupted by World War I, during which he served in the military.

Academic Career

After the war, Mace returned to academia and completed his studies. He began his career as a lecturer at the University of Birmingham and later moved to Birkbeck College, University of London, where he became a professor of psychology. Mace was known for his engaging teaching style and his ability to inspire students to explore the depths of human psychology.

Contributions to Psychology

Cecil Alec Mace is best known for his research on motivation and goal setting. In 1935, he published a seminal paper that explored the relationship between goal difficulty and performance. Mace's work laid the foundation for the development of goal-setting theory, which was later expanded by psychologists such as Edwin A. Locke and Gary P. Latham.

Mace's research demonstrated that specific and challenging goals lead to higher levels of performance compared to easy or vague goals. His findings have been widely applied in various fields, including business, education, and sports, to enhance productivity and achievement.

Legacy

Cecil Alec Mace's contributions to psychology have had a profound impact on the understanding of human motivation. His work continues to influence contemporary research and practice in organizational behavior and human resource management.

Also see

• Motivation
• Goal-setting theory
• Edwin A. Locke
• Gary P. Latham
• Organizational psychology