Goal Pursuit

2012 ◽  
pp. 207-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Gollwitzer ◽  
Gabriele Oettingen
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Implementation Intentions ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
The Self ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Theories Of Intelligence ◽  
Mental Contrasting ◽  
Goal Implementation

We start out with describing how the goal concept emerged in the history of the psychology of motivation to better understand the important role it plays in current research on motivation. We then suggest a differentiation between studies targeting the setting of goals versus the implementation of goals to get a grip on the host of empirical work the goal concept has triggered. With respect to goal setting, we first discuss studies that explore determinants affecting the content and structure of set goals (e.g., entity vs. incremental theories of intelligence influence the setting of performance vs. learning goals). We then turn to studies on the self-regulation of goal setting and discuss in detail how a self-regulation strategy called mental contrasting of future and reality facilitates strong commitment to feasible goals but dissolves commitment to unfeasible ones. With respect to goal implementation we first refer to studies on the determinants of effective goal striving (e.g., the framing of the set goal in terms of approach vs. avoidance) and then turn to analyzing the effective self-regulation of goal implementation. Here we focus on the strategy of forming implementation intentions (i.e., if-then plans) and explicate in detail how such planning helps in overcoming classic hurdles to goal attainment (e.g., distractions). We will end the chapter by reporting the results of recent intervention studies that successfully enhanced goal attainment in the health, academic, and interpersonal domains by combining the self-regulation strategy of mental contrasting with that of forming implementation intentions.

Goal Attainment

2019 ◽  
pp. 245-268
Author(s):  
Peter M. Gollwitzer ◽  
Gabriele Oettingen
Keyword(s):  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Implementation Intentions ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
The Self ◽  
Mental Contrasting ◽  
History Of ◽  
Regulation Strategies ◽  
Underlying Processes

This chapter begins with a description of how the goal concept emerged in the history of the psychology of motivation to better understand the important role it plays in current research on motivation. The chapter then turns to the self-regulation of goal pursuit. The effects and underlying processes of two different self-regulation strategies will be discussed in detail: mental contrasting and forming implementation intentions. The chapter concludes with a report of the results of recent intervention studies that combine the self-regulation strategies of mental contrasting and forming implementation intentions to help people enhance goal attainment in the health, academic, and interpersonal domains.

scholarly journals The Self-Regulation of Conformity: Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions (MCII)

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivica von Weichs ◽  
Nora Rebekka Krott ◽  
Gabriele Oettingen
Keyword(s):  
Implementation Intentions ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
Logical Reasoning ◽  
The Self ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Reasoning Task ◽  
Mental Contrasting ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Majority Influence

The self-regulation of conformity has received little attention in previous research. This is surprising because group majorities can exert social strong pressure on people, leading them to overlook the pursuit of their own goals. We investigated if self-regulation by mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) can reduce people’s tendency to conform and facilitate their own goal-pursuit despite deviant majority influence. In a computer-based logical reasoning task, we exposed participants to a conformity manipulation, where we presented bogus diagrams showing the supposedly correct answers of a majority ingroup. Compared to participants who were not given a self-regulation strategy (Studies 1, 2, and 4) or who were in an active control group (Study 3), MCII helped participants to self-regulate conforming behavior in trying to solve the task and to independently solve the logical reasoning task, as indicated by increases in correct answers in the task. The findings suggest that MCII is an effective strategy to regulate people’s tendency to conform and supports them to attain their goal despite deviant majority influence.

scholarly journals A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions on Goal Attainment

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoxia Wang ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Xiaosong Gai
Keyword(s):  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Implementation Intentions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Mental Contrasting ◽  
Medium Effect Size

Mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) is a self-regulation strategy that enhances goal attainment. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of MCII for goal attainment and explored potential moderators. A total of 21 empirical studies with 24 independent effect sizes (15,907 participants) were included in the analysis. Results showed that MCII to be effective for goal attainment with a small to medium effect size (g = 0.336). The effect was mainly moderated by intervention style. Specifically, studies with interventions based on interactions between participants and experimenters (g = 0.465) had stronger effects than studies with interventions based on interactions between participants and documents (g = 0.277). The results revealed that MCII is a brief and effective strategy for goal attainment with a small to moderate effect; however, because of some publication bias, the actual effect sizes may be smaller. Due to small number of studies in this meta-analysis, additional studies are needed to determine the role of moderator variables.

scholarly journals Comparing mental contrasting with implementation intentions against solution-focused and autonomous planning

2021 ◽  
pp. 014303432110003
Author(s):  
Adam Abdulla ◽  
Ruth Woods
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Implementation Intentions ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Goal Progress ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Mental Contrasting ◽  
Autonomous Planning ◽  
Solution Focused

Research suggests that mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) enhances commitment and goal attainment. However, most studies have used limited comparison conditions. The present study compared MCII against two other potentially effective approaches: autonomous planning (AP), and solution-focused planning (SFP). It was thought that condition would have an indirect effect on goal progress by affecting commitment. However, goal attainment expectancy was hypothesised to be a moderator such that MCII has positive effects when expectancy is high but negative effects when expectancy is low. Ninety-eight female students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) MCII, 2) AP, or 3) SFP. All students initially set themselves a goal for the coming week regarding personal projects. Mean commitment and goal progress were marginally higher in the MCII condition than in the AP and SFP conditions but the differences were not statistically significant and (as predicted) much smaller than in previous research. Expectancy did not appear to have a moderating effect. The apparent benefits of MCII were larger relative to AP than to SFP. Results suggest that MCII may sometimes be no more effective than other approaches to goal-setting and planning, particularly if they are evidence-based and carefully-designed. Implications for schools are addressed.

Health goals among American adults: Prevalence, characteristics, and barriers

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1350-1355
Author(s):  
Marina Milyavskaya ◽  
Daniel Nadolny
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Implementation Intentions ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Health Goal ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Reported Health

Although numerous factors have been demonstrated in laboratory settings to lead to more successful health goal attainment, their actual use in daily goal pursuit is unknown. This study examines spontaneously reported health goals and their characteristics in a sample of 557 American adults. Participants responded to questions about health and health goals, with items assessing motivation, social support, and implementation intentions. In all, 66 percent of respondents had a health goal, 26 percent of participants had implementation intentions, and 47 percent received support from close others. Results suggest that interventions should focus on encouraging goal setting, teaching implementation intentions, and educating close others in providing support.

The Bases of Goal Setting in the Self-regulation of Hypertension

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie D. Taylor ◽  
Richard P. Bagozzi ◽  
Caroline A. Gaither ◽  
Kenneth A. Jamerson
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
The Self

scholarly journals Comparative Effectiveness of Mental Contrasting and Self-regulation Strategies on Enhancing Goal Setting Skills of Secondary School Students in Urban Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Ofole Ndidi Mercy ◽  
Adegoke Ibukun Victoria
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Comparative Effectiveness ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Mental Contrasting ◽  
Regulation Strategies

Although there is plethora of studies on goal setting skills, there is paucity of experimental studies on this field. This study examined the comparative effectiveness of Mental Contrasting Therapy (MCT) and Self-Regulation Strategies (SRS) on enhancing goal setting skills of students in urban Nigeria. A group of 120 students (male=52, female=68) with age range of 14-17 years and mean age of ≥ 13.5 years were purposively drawn from secondary schools in urban Nigeria. Each of the intervention groups was exposed to 10 sessions of therapy designed to improve their goal setting skills. The control group served as comparison group. The result revealed a significant main effect of treatments on goal setting skills (F(2,105) =14.958, p<0.05) with the intervention groups demonstrating greater ability to utilize the acquired skills than the comparison group as evidenced on the mean score. The effect size reveals that treatment accounted for 22.2% (η2=0.222) change in the participants’ goal setting skills. Participants treated with SRS reported higher mean score at post-test (=69.09) when compared with their counterpart in MCT group (=66.93). Self-efficacy and gender have significant interactive effect with treatments F(4,105) = 6.375, p<0.05, η2=0.195 and F(2,105) =13.561, p<0.01, η2=0.205 respectively. The researchers concluded that though the two therapies were effective, SRS was more potent in enhancing goal setting skills of the participants.

scholarly journals The use and evaluation of self-regulation techniques can predict health goal attainment in adults: an explorative study

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolien Plaete ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Maite Verloigne ◽  
Geert Crombez
Keyword(s):  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Implementation Intentions ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Implementation Intention ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Ehealth Intervention ◽  
Personal Advice

Background. Self-regulation tools are not always used optimally, and implementation intention plans often lack quality. Therefore, this study explored participants’ use and feasibility evaluation of self-regulation techniques and their impact on goal attainment. Methods. Data were obtained from 452 adults in a proof of concept (POC) intervention of ‘MyPlan’, an eHealth intervention using self-regulation techniques to promote three healthy behaviours (physical activity(PA), fruit intake, or vegetable intake). Participants applied self-regulation techniques to a self-selected health behaviour, and evaluated the self-regulation techniques. The quality of implementation intentions was rated by the authors as a function of instrumentality (instrumental and non-instrumental) and specificity (non-specific and medium to high specific). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to predict goal attainment. Results. Goal attainment was significantly predicted by the motivational value of the personal advice (OR:1.86), by the specificity of the implementation intentions (OR:3.5), by the motivational value of the action plan (OR:1.86), and by making a new action plan at follow-up (OR:4.10). Interaction-effects with behaviour showed that the specificity score of the implementation intention plans (OR:4.59), the motivational value of the personal advice (OR:2.38), selecting hindering factors and solutions(OR:2.00) and making a new action plan at follow-up (OR:7.54) were predictive of goal attainment only for fruit or vegetable intake. Also, when participants in the fruit and vegetable group made more than three plans, they were more likely to attain their goal (OR:1.73), whereas the reverse was the case in the PA group (OR:0.34). Discussion. Feedback on goal feasibility, coping implementation intentions, further research to investigate the optimal number of plans for different behaviours, the optimal frequency and timing of follow-up modules and new ways to incorporate social support in eHealth interventions, are recommended.

scholarly journals Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions Reduces Drinking When Drinking Is Hazardous: An Online Self-Regulation Intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Wittleder ◽  
Andreas Kappes ◽  
Gabriele Oettingen ◽  
Peter M. Gollwitzer ◽  
Melanie Jay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Implementation Intentions ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Online Intervention ◽  
Hazardous Drinking ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Mental Contrasting ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
The Cost

Introduction. Drinking alcohol has detrimental health consequences, and effective interventions to reduce hazardous drinking are needed. The self-regulation intervention of Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) promotes behavior change across a variety of health behaviors. In this study, we tested if online delivery of MCII reduced hazardous drinking in people who were worried about their drinking. Method. Participants ( N = 200, female = 107) were recruited online. They were randomized to learn MCII or solve simple math problems (control). Results. Immediately after the intervention, participants in the MCII condition (vs. control) reported an increased commitment to reduce drinking. After 1 month, they reported having taken action measured by the Readiness to Change drinking scale. When drinking was hazardous (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test ≥ 8, n = 85), participants in the MCII condition indicated a decreased number of drinking days, exp(β) = 0.47, CI (confidence interval) [−1.322, −.207], p = .02, and drinks per week, exp(β) = 0.57, CI [0.94, 5.514], p = .007, compared with the control condition. Discussion. These findings demonstrate that a brief, self-guided online intervention ( Mdn = 28 minutes) can reduce drinking in people who worry about their drinking. Our findings show a higher impact in people at risk for hazardous drinking. Conclusion. MCII is scalable as an online intervention. Future studies should test the cost-effectiveness of the intervention in real-world settings.

Meeting Challenges in a Classroom Context

Beyond Coping ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 129-148
Author(s):  
Monique Boekaerts
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Educational Psychology ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Classroom Context ◽  
Volitional Control ◽  
Control Effort ◽  
Goal Striving

Chapter 7 focuses on the concept of positive educational psychology in the classroom context. It discusses learning according to the principles of positive psychology, goal setting and goal striving as part of the self-regulation process, the effects of a lack of self-regulation, self-regulation versus self-control, effort-management and volitional control.

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