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Implementation Intentions

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Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine

Definition

Implementation intentions are if-then plans that spell out in advance how one wants to strive for a set goal. For the if-component, a critical cue is selected (e.g., a good opportunity, an anticipated obstacle) that is linked to a goal-directed response in the then-component. Implementation intentions are known to enhance the rate of goal attainment. They do so by delegating action control to situational cues thus endowing action control with features of automaticity.

Description

Successful goal pursuit requires solving both of two subsequent tasks: first strongly committing to goals and then effectively implementing them. Accordingly, strongly committing to a goal is a necessary but not sufficient step toward goal attainment. Indeed, effective goal pursuit may be hampered by various problems such as failing to get started and to stay on track as well as overextending oneself. Finally, people may fail to disengage from futile means and unattainable goals. Meta-analytic...

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References and Further Reading

  • Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999). Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans. American Psychologist, 54, 493–503.

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  • Gollwitzer, P. M. (2014). Weakness of the will: Is a quick fix possible? Motivation and Emotion, 38, 305–322.

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  • Gollwitzer, P. M., & Oettingen, G. (2016). Planning promotes goal striving. In K. D. Vohs & R. F. Baumeister (Eds.), Self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications (3rd ed., pp. 223–246). New York: Guilford Press.

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  • Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta-analysis of effects and processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 69–119.

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  • Oettingen, G. (2012). Future thought and behavior change. European Review of Social Psychology, 23, 1–63.

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  • Oettingen, G. (2014). Rethinking positive thinking. New York: Penguin/Random House.

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  • Oettingen, G., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2010). Strategies of setting and implementing goals: Mental contrasting and implementation intentions. In J. E. Maddux & J. P. Tangney (Eds.), Social psychological foundations of clinical psychology (pp. 114–135). New York: Guilford Press.

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  • Sheeran, P. (2002). Intention-behavior relations: A conceptual and empirical review. European Review of Social Psychology, 12, 1–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Peter M. Gollwitzer & Gabriele Oettingen

Authors
  1. Peter M. Gollwitzer
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  2. Gabriele Oettingen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter M. Gollwitzer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Marc Gellman

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology, Concordia University & Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, CIUSSS-NIM: Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Simon L. Bacon

  2. Department of Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Lab, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Tavis S. Campbell

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Gollwitzer, P.M., Oettingen, G. (2019). Implementation Intentions. In: Gellman, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_1710-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_1710-4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6439-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6439-6

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