3 - the intention-behaviour gap Flashcards
what is the difference between a moderator and a mediator?
moderator - influences strength of relationship between variables
mediator - mechanism by which one variable influences another
what are problems with correlational studies?
the third variable problem
how do we know there isn’t another variable that influences intentions?
how can experimental studies be used to study the intention-behaviour gap?
manipulate intention and record behaviour
to what extent do changes in intention lead to changes in behaviour?
how do experimental studies rule out difficulties associated with correlational studies?
participants randomly allocated to groups
can control for other external variables because groups are equivalent except for intervention
to what extent is behaviour determined by intentions?
Webb & Sheeran meta-analysis
behaviour is determined by intentions but its a relatively weak relationship
situations vary in how much they are influenced by intentions
why do people fail to act on their intentions?
intention viability: we set unrealistic goals
intention activation: conflicting goals may mean original intention is “deactivated”
intention elaboration: lack of detail about performing intention
why are some intentions not viable?
- counter-intentional habits: intentions have smaller effects on habits, if intentions are at odds with habits, they are less likely to happen
- lack of resources / outside personal control
what is monitoring goal process?
periodically noting the qualities of goal-related behaviour or its outcomes and comparing these perceptions with salient reference values
how does monitoring goal progress effect behaviour?
Policy et al
restrained eaters ate significantly more sweets in the condition where they were not subject to public attention (no monitoring)
monitoring goal progress improves likelihood of achieving goals
are people with strong intentions more likely to monitor process?
De Bruin et al. found people with stronger intention were more likely to monitor goal progress and respond to discrepancies (obstacles)
how does monitoring progress bridge the gap between intention and behaviour?
- prevents the ostrich problem
- identify discrepancies
- decide how to allocate effort, exercise restraint, or initiate corrective action
what is the ‘ostrich problem’?
motivated avoidance or rejection of information about goal progress
what are different types of progress monitoring?
monitor behaviour - exercise
monitor outcomes - weightless
is it better to monitor behaviour or monitor outcomes?
they have an almost identical effect
monitoring behaviour has bigger effect on behaviour
monitoring outcomes has bigger effect on outcomes
