Expectations Are More Predictive of Behavior than Behavioral Intentions: Evidence from Two Prospective Studies

Abstract

Background. Understanding the gap between people's behavioral intentions and their subsequent behavior is a key problem for behavioral scientists, but little attention has been paid to how behavioral intentions are operationalized.Purpose. Test the distinction between asking people what they intend to do, as opposed to what they expect they will do.Methods. Two prospective studies were conducted in the domains of student alcohol consumption (N = 152) and weight loss among overweight/obese people (N = 141).Participants completed questionnaires assessing their behavioral intentions, expectations and self-efficacy at baseline; alcohol consumption/weight were assessed at both baseline and follow-up.Results. In Study 1, expectations were more predictive of subsequent alcohol consumption than behavioral intentions, controlling for baseline alcohol consumption and self-efficacy. In Study 2, changes in expectations were more predictive of weight loss than changes in behavioral intentions, controlling for baseline weight and self-efficacy. Conclusion.The findings support a potentially important distinction between behavioral intentions and expectations.

Nursing Students’ Perceptions of a Silent Mentor Program in an Anatomy Course

“…Results of this study revealed that students developed self‐expectations of better role performance through the great respect they felt toward the silent mentors and their families. Self‐expectation is a predictor of behavior (Armitage et al, ). Students’ high academic expectations stimulate critical thinking and a reflective approach to learning (Rodriguez, ).…”

An application of the prototype willingness model to drivers' speeding behaviour

“…For example, Warshaw and Davis () have argued that behavioural expectations tap into perceptions of behavioural inhibitors and facilitators, whereas behavioural intentions do not (e.g., a person people may not intend to exceed the speed limit while driving but still think they are likely to do it because they know they are likely to encounter situations that tempt the behaviour or make it difficult to avoid). Likewise, Armitage, Norman, Alganem, and Conner () have argued that asking people about their behavioural expectations elicits more reflective processing than does asking them about their behavioural intentions. Behavioural expectations and behavioural intentions are also empirically distinct.…”

“…Likewise, Armitage, Norman, Alganem, and Conner (2015) have argued that asking people about their behavioural expectations elicits more reflective processing than does asking them about their behavioural intentions. Behavioural expectations and behavioural intentions are also empirically distinct.…”

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“…It is also important to consider if the severity of obesity itself was a factor in participants' calculation of their willingness to take risk. 11,12,29,30 There are also implications for individuals with low weight loss self- should be strategically tested and applied when aiming to increase risk perceptions or intervene with this target population. [32][33][34][35] This study's contribution should be considered within its limitations.…”