Intention-Behaviour Gap

What is the issue with correlational studies?

Third Variable Problem

What is the Third Variable Problem in context of intentions/behaviours?

An unconscious process that could have produced them both

Why do we not carry out behaviours some times?

Lack of motivation, procrastination, priority change

What is intention viability?

Cannot express behaviour due to absensce of ability, resource or opportunity

What is intention activation?

The extent to which contextual demands alter the importance, direction, or intensity of a focal intention relative to other intention.

What is intention elaboration?

People fail to elaborate in sufficient detail how to go about performing the intended action

What do experimental studies suggest about intentions & behaviours? (Webb & Sheeran, 2006)

Small causal effect between intentions and behaviours, outlines a gap

What is monitoring goal progess?

Actively observing and noting actions or results from these actions over time

Are people with strong intentions more likely to monitor progress? (De Bruin et al., 2012)

Moderate correlation

Is monitoring goal progress associated with achievement?

Weak association between monitoring progress & achievement

What was the effect when participants were asked to monitor their progess in multiple methods? (Harkin et al., 2016)

Very likely to monitor their progress

What does monitoring progess achieve?

Identify discprancies & decide how to allocate effort, exercise restraint, or initiate corrective action

Why did interventions have such a large effect on the frequency at which people monitored their goal progress?

Monitoring goal progress often requires people confront an unpleasant truth

Does it matter how people monitor their progress?

No difference between monitoring outcomes or behaviour

What does change when people monitor behaviour vs outcomes?

The effect on outcomes is less when monitoring only behaviour (vice versa)