Implementation intentions and efficient action initiation.

Brandstätter, Veronika; Lengfelder, Angelika; Gollwitzer, Peter M.

doi:10.1037//0022-3514.81.5.946

Cited by 111 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…We found that implementation (compared with goal) intentions initially led to better performance during instrumental training, in terms of accuracy (in both studies) and speed (in Study 2). This beneficial effect of strategic if-then planning on instrumental learning is in line with previous evidence for increased efficiency or automaticity ( Bieleke et al, 2021 ; Brandstatter et al, 2001 ; Parks-Stamm et al, 2007 ). Crucially, to test whether this increased efficiency comes at the cost of reduced flexibility—a hallmark of habitual behaviour—we tested whether participants could overcome the learnt stimulus-response mapping when some of the signalled outcome values changed (i.e., were revalued).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Could humans accelerate or even skip this gradual process by mentally forming the desired S-R link? In line with this possibility, previous studies have found that if-then plans are supported by several features of automaticity ( Wieber et al, 2015 ), including efficient action initiation ( Brandstatter et al, 2001 ; Gollwitzer & Brandstätter, 1997 ; Parks-Stamm et al, 2007 ) and the facilitation of action preparation and initiation even if cues are presented outside conscious awareness ( Bayer et al, 2009 ). Furthermore, in line with the notion of strategic automaticity, forming an implementation intention has also been found to rapidly increase the self-reported automaticity of a novel flossing routine ( Orbell & Verplanken, 2010 ).…”

Section: General Introductionmentioning

confidence: 58%

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Instant habits versus flexible tenacity: Do implementation intentions accelerate habit formation?

Timmeren

Wit

2022

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

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Implementation intentions (strategic if-then plans) have been shown to support behaviour change. This may be achieved by mentally forming stimulus-response associations, thereby promoting habit formation. Does this deliberate attempt to install ‘strategic automaticity’ only offer advantages, or does it also come at the cost of reduced flexibility that characterizes learnt habits? To investigate this, we tested healthy, young participants on a computerized instrumental learning task. Critically, we introduced implementation intentions (‘if I see stimulus X, then I will respond’) versus goal intentions (‘for outcome Z, I will respond)’ during instrumental acquisition, and subsequently assessed behavioural flexibility in an outcome-revaluation test. In Experiment 1, we conducted a between-subjects manipulation of strategic planning, and in Experiment 2 a within-subject manipulation. We hypothesized that implementation intentions would lead to strong stimulus-response associations and consequently impair performance when the signalled outcome value changed and therefore required a different response, while benefitting performance when the outcome value (and required response) remained the same. We found that implementation intentions supported instrumental learning, but impaired test performance overall (most robustly in Experiment 2), irrespective of whether the signalled outcome value had changed. We argue that this general detrimental effect of implementation intentions on test performance is likely a consequence of their negative effect on stimulus-outcome learning. Our findings warranting caution in applying these to situations where the agent does not already possess perfect knowledge of behavioural contingencies. While implementation intentions may support efficient and fast behavioural execution, this may come at the expense of behavioural flexibility.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: General Introductionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Instant habits versus flexible tenacity: Do implementation intentions accelerate habit formation?

Timmeren

Wit

2022

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

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“…Interestingly, IIs are considered to be particularly helpful for individuals whose self-regulatory skills are compromised [ 21 ], thereby serving as a compensatory strategy for those in strongest need of assistance. This has been supported by a number of studies showing that IIs can help to overcome ego-depletion [ 41 ], and promote goal attainment among those suffering brain damage or drug addiction [ 42 , 43 ], as well as improve prospective memory performance among those with low executive functioning [ 44 , 45 ] or fluid mechanics (i.e., those cognitive functions that tend to decline with age; [ 46 ]). Accordingly, IIs have been suggested as a means to compensate for age-related decline in prospective memory [ 47 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Improving goal striving and resilience in older adults through a personalized metacognitive self-help intervention: a protocol paper

et al. 2023

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Background Successful aging is often linked to individual’s ability to demonstrate resilience: the maintenance or quick recovery of functional ability, well-being, and quality of life despite losses or adversity. A crucial element of resilience is behavioral adaptability, which refers to the adaptive changes in behavior in accordance with internal or external demands. Age-related degradation of executive functions can, however, lead to volition problems that compromise flexible adjustment of behavior. In contrast, the reliance on habitual control has been shown to remain relatively intact in later life and may therefore provide an expedient route to goal attainment among older adults. In the current study, we examine whether a metacognitive self-help intervention (MCSI), aimed at facilitating goal striving through the gradual automatization of efficient routines, could effectively support behavioral adaptability in favor of resilience among older adults with and without (sub-clinical) mental health problems. Methods This metacognitive strategy draws on principles from health and social psychology, as well as clinical psychology, and incorporates elements of established behavioral change and activation techniques from both fields. Additionally, the intervention will be tailored to personal needs and challenges, recognizing the significant diversity that exist among aging individuals. Discussion Despite some challenges that may limit the generalizability of the results, our MCSI program offers a promising means to empower older adults with tools and strategies to take control of their goals and challenges. This can promote autonomy and independent functioning, and thereby contribute to adaptability and resilience in later life. Trial registration Pre-registered, partly retrospectively. This study was pre-registered before the major part of the data was collected, created, and realized. Only a small part of the data of some participants (comprising the baseline and other pre-intervention measures), and the full dataset of the first few participants, was collected prior to registration, but it was not accessed yet. See: https://osf.io/5b9xz

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“…Recipients of a VHS are asked to form implementation intentions by selecting the IF statements that correspond to the critical situations will put at risk their performance of an intended behaviour, and linking each one with a THEN statement. Subsequently, these implementation intentions help ensure goal-intended behaviour by increasing the salience of the selected critical situations when they are encountered (e.g., Milne et al, 2002;Webb & Sheeran, 2004) and automatically initiating the linked goal-directed response (e.g., Brandstätter et al, 2001;Orbell & Sheeran, 2000;Webb & Sheeran, 2004). As a result, they help overcome self-regulatory problems that stop people from enacting their goal intentions such as missing opportunities to act or getting tempted by alternative courses of action (Sheeran & Webb, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a volitional help sheet to increase university students' attendance at synchronous online lectures: A randomized controlled trial

Elliott,

McGroarty,

Robertson

2023

Brit J of Edu Psychol

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BackgroundA volitional help sheet (VHS) is an intervention for promoting implementation intentions. This study was the first to test the effectiveness of a VHS for increasing university students' lecture attendance.AimsTo develop a VHS to increase university students’ lecture attendance and test its effectiveness at increasing the proportion of lectures attended, and promoting the maintenance of lecture attendance, over an 11‐week teaching semester.Sample and MethodOne hundred and seventy‐eight undergraduate students enrolled in a psychology degree programme were allocated at random to a VHS or active control condition. Prior to intervention, measures of goal intention to attend lectures and trait conscientiousness were collected using self‐report, online questionnaires. Over the following 11‐week teaching semester, attendance at synchronous (live) online lectures was measured.ResultsThe VHS condition attended a greater proportion of lectures and maintained their lecture attendance for longer than did the active control condition. These effects were not sensitive to underlying goal intentions, although the sample means on the measures of goal intention were approaching ceiling. Trait conscientiousness increased the effects of the VHS on the proportion of lectures attended.ConclusionsVHSs constitute useful interventions for increasing and maintaining university students' lecture attendance.

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Implementation intentions and efficient action initiation.

Cited by 111 publications

References 54 publications

Instant habits versus flexible tenacity: Do implementation intentions accelerate habit formation?

Instant habits versus flexible tenacity: Do implementation intentions accelerate habit formation?

Improving goal striving and resilience in older adults through a personalized metacognitive self-help intervention: a protocol paper

Using a volitional help sheet to increase university students' attendance at synchronous online lectures: A randomized controlled trial

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