How to Maximize Implementation Intention Effects

Peter M. Gollwitzer, Frank Wieber, Andrea L. Myers, Sean M. McCrea

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors focus on one of the more cognitive mediators of behavior, dealing with the extent to which implementation intentions lead to successful execution of an intended behavior. From this viewpoint, automatic processes such as those discussed in the preceding chapters (particularly Chapters 5 and 6) are sometimes an unwanted source of interference that must be dealt with for a desired behavior to transpire. The chapter is framed as a lesson on how to overcome such interferences by creating the most efficacious forms of intentions, though a by-product of such efforts is a better understanding of the "miraculous" translation of intentions into actions. Among the phenomena discussed is the greater effectiveness of intentions that have more specific antecedent conditions (the "if" in intentions couched in "if-then" form).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThen A Miracle Occurs
Subtitle of host publicationFocusing on Behavior in Social Psychological Theory and Research
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN (Electronic)9780199864522
ISBN (Print)9780195377798
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2010

Keywords

  • Behavior
  • Behavioral intentions
  • Cognitive mediation
  • If-then
  • Implementation intentions
  • Social psychology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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