If-then planning

Maik Bieleke,Lucas Keller,Peter M Gollwitzer

doi:10.1080/10463283.2020.1808936

If-then planning

Maik Bieleke, Lucas Keller + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/10463283.2020.1808936

Copy DOI

Abstract

ABSTRACT The self-regulation strategy of forming implementation intentions has now been studied for almost 30 years. We trace the development of this research and explicate the questions that have been addressed. We then present current research that investigates the consequences of implementation intentions for flexible goal striving, behaviour in situations for which one had not planned, and neuropsychological processes underlying the action control by implementation intentions. Next, we turn to novel applications focusing on how implementation intentions affect physical endurance and promote strategic information processing. Our review concludes with an outlook on future research on implementation intentions that covers emerging individual difference perspectives, innovative approaches to characterize underlying cognitive processes, and the prospects of integrating insights from related fields of research. As such, our review is an empathic call for addressing the many intriguing conceptual and empirical questions that still revolve around implementation intentions.

Highlights

The self-regulation strategy of forming implementation intentions has been studied for almost 30 years
While in line with earlier research showing that implementation intention effects rely less on brain regions associated with effortful top-down control, these results suggest that automating behaviour may not always improve performance
As it provides a powerful strategy to effectively narrow the gap between intentions and behaviours, many researchers have worked on the selfregulation strategy of forming implementation intentions

Summary

Introduction

The self-regulation strategy of forming implementation intentions has been studied for almost 30 years. We will turn to discussing research on (1) whether implementation intentions manage to strike the balance between flexible and tenacious goal striving, (2) how they affect behaviour in nonplanned situations, and (3) how their processes and effects are reflected in the brain. Before participants started working on these tasks, they received control instructions or were asked to form goal or implementation intentions in both experiments.

Results

Conclusion