Monitoring goal process (bridging the I-B gap)

Question 1

involves periodically noting qualities of the target behaviour and outcome and comparing these perceptions with the desired state (our intentions) =

Answer 1

monitoring goal process

Question 2

give an example of monitoring goal process

Answer 2

monitoring how much we eat by how much weight we’ve lost and comparing this to how much weight we want to lose

Question 3

describe Polivy et al’s “what the hell” effect

Answer 3

idea that one small slip of a goal causes people think “what the hell| because they’ve not kept up with their goal and give up instantly and to the extreme

Question 4

what did the sweet wrapper study find?

Answer 4

all ppts had equal intentions to lose weight > half left wrappers on table and half placed wrappers in bin full of sweet wrappers. those that monitored how many sweets they had eaten because the wrappers were on the table ATE LESS SWEETS (this is because they could monitor their behaviour)

Question 5

what were the results from DeBruin et al (2012) study on intentions to exercise?

Answer 5

large correlation (.59) found between intentions and self regulatory processes

Question 6

what are 2 processes found to bridge the gap between intentions and behaviour?

Answer 6

1. monitoring goal process

2. responding to discrepancies

Question 7

is monitoring one of the processes by which intentions are translated into action?

Answer 7

yes (de bruin et al)

Question 8

DeBruin et al also measured behaviour. they found that intentions to exercise twice a week were good predictors of behaviour - explaining __-__% of the variance and self regulatory processes explained an extra __% of the variance

Answer 8

20-35%, 6%

Question 9

what is the limitation of Debruin et al’s studies?

Answer 9

correlational studies mean no causation can be inferred > we need to conduct experimental studies

Question 10

what did Harkin, Webb et al’s meta-analysis of experimental studies find?

Answer 10

before intervention, ppts didn’t monitor their health behaviours but after there was a big increase in the frequency of monitoring, effect size = 1.98. this was shown to have an effect on behaviour change d=0.4 (small to medium effect size)

Question 11

what 2 things does monitoring process help people to do?

Answer 11

1. identify discrepancies (difference from where you are now to where you want to be and how to get there)
2. decide how to allocate effort, initiate restraint and corrective action

Question 12

why did the interventions have such a large effect on frequency people monitor goal process?

Answer 12

people don’t typically keep track of their progress (ignore/bury head in sand)

Question 13

Shankar et al (2007) found that people with diabetes are ______ motivated to monitor blood glucose

Answer 13

highly

Question 14

what were the results from Evans et al study looking at 807 patients with type 1 diabetes?

Answer 14

16% didn’t redeem any prescriptions for monitoring strips, only 20% redeemed prescriptions for enough strips to test daily

Question 15

motivated avoidance/rejection of info about goal process, idea of intentionally avoiding ways that would help them monitor their goal process (bury head in the sand) =

Answer 15

the ostrich problem

Question 16

if the goal is to lose weight what is an active monitoring strategy? what is a passive monitoring strategy?

Answer 16

active = weight loss by stepping on scales and looking at info

passive = notice that you don’t fit your clothes, someone comments on your weight loss

Question 17

goal outcomes can be monitored ______ or ______

Answer 17

actively, passively

Question 18

goal process can be monitored by monitoring _______

Answer 18

behaviours

Question 19

if the goal is to lose weight what monitoring behaviours can be done?

Answer 19

note number of calories, amount of exercise in a diary (active)

remember how tired you feel after you’ve exercised (passive)

Question 20

a meta-analysis looked at ppts either monitoring their behaviours or outcomes. what were the results?

Answer 20

found it made no difference whether ppts monitored the behaviour or outcome so can do either to have an effect on goal achievement

Question 21

monitoring behaviour had a big effect on what?

Answer 21

big effect on behaviour outcomes but no effect on the outcome

Question 22

monitoring outcomes has a big effect on what?

Answer 22

big effect on outcome but small effect on behaviour

Question 23

what might help explain these findings?

Answer 23

a goal systems perspective

Question 24

how are reference values used to monitor goal process?

Answer 24

can either monitor process in relation to desired future target or in relation to the past (can also monitor progress in relation to other people) = reference values

Question 25

does it matter whether you compare to the future to past?

Answer 25

no, both were found to be equally effective

Question 26

what studies were needed to be explored more as there were only 2 studies?

Answer 26

the effect of monitoring process when comparing to other people

Question 27

monitoring can be recorded ______ or not

Answer 27

physically

Question 28

was monitoring that was recorded found to be more or less effective than when it wasn’t recorded?

Answer 28

more effective when it was recorded (D+ = 0.43) compared to when it wasn’t recorded (D+ = 0.29)

Question 29

is there a difference in effect on monitoring processes when it is publicly reported compared to privately recorded?

Answer 29

yes publicly reporting process shows a substantial effect on goal achievement. links to the ostrich effect (can’t ignore info if you are reporting it to someone or writing it down)

Question 30

overall, what is one way to bridge the gap between intentions and action?

Answer 30

monitoring process

Question 31

how does monitoring process work?

Answer 31

prevents ‘the ostrich problem’ and helps people to identify discrepancies and decide when to act

Question 32

recording process and monitoring publicly has been found to be _____ effective

Answer 32

more

Question 33

intentions are studied before behaviour =

Answer 33

prospective studies