Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T18:12:50.961Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

39 - Planning and Implementation Intention Interventions

from Part III - Behavior Change Interventions: Practical Guides to Behavior Change

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2020

By
Ryan E. Rhodes ,
Stina Grant  and
Gert-Jan de Bruijn
Edited by
Martin S. Hagger ,
Linda D. Cameron ,
Kyra Hamilton ,
Nelli Hankonen  and
Taru Lintunen
Martin S. Hagger
Affiliation:
University of California, Merced
Linda D. Cameron
Affiliation:
University of California, Merced
Kyra Hamilton
Affiliation:
Griffith University
Nelli Hankonen
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki
Taru Lintunen
Affiliation:
University of Jyväskylä
Get access

Summary

This chapter provides resources and best-practice guidelines for planning interventions that have broad application to behaviors of everyday living. An overview of the theory and context for why planning is important to behavior change with a focus on current evidence is provided. Key definitions and research evidence of various planning concepts and techniques – action and preparatory planning, implementations intentions, and coping planning – are outlined. Subsequently, instructions are provided on how people can formulate effective planning interventions with examples of behaviors from various relevant prosocial, health, academic, and business contexts. Finally, current evidence and theory are provided with guidance on the types of planning interventions that may work in specific contexts and conditions, and on the moderators that may influence the effectiveness of each approach. Each section includes further details that are provided with worked examples of resources to use based on prior research and various modes of delivery (e.g., face-to-face, website, wearable devices).

Keywords

implementation intentionsaction planningpreparatory planningcoping planningaction phasesdual-phase modelsif-then plans
Type
Chapter
Information
The Handbook of Behavior Change , pp. 572 - 585
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ach, N. (1905). Uber die Willenstatigkeit und das Denken. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.Google Scholar
Adriaanse, M. A., Gollwitzer, P. M., De Ridder, D. T. D., de Wit, J. B. F., & Kroese, F. M. (2011). Breaking habits with implementation intentions: A test of underlying processes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 37, 502–513. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167211399102Google Scholar
Adriaanse, M. A., Vinkers, C. D. W., De Ridder, D. T. D., Hox, J. J., & De Wit, J. B. F. (2011). Do implementation intentions help to eat a healthy diet? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the empirical evidence. Appetite, 56, 183–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2010.10.012CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-TCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Allan, J. L., Sniehotta, F. F., & Johnston, M. (2013). The best laid plans: Planning skill determines the effectiveness of action plans and implementation intentions. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9483-9Google Scholar
Armitage, C. J. (2008). A volitional help sheet to encourage smoking cessation: A randomized exploratory trial. Health Psychology, 27, 557–566. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.27.5.557CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Armitage, C. J., & Conner, M. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behavior: A meta-analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 471–499. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466601164939CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bagozzi, R. P. (1992). The self-regulation of attitudes, intentions, and behavior. Social Psychology Quarterly, 55, 178–204. https://doi.org/10.2307/2786945Google Scholar
Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social-Cognitive Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
Bélanger-Gravel, A., Godin, G., & Amireault, S. (2013). A meta-analytic review of the effect of implementation intentions on physical activity. Health Psychology Review, 7, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2011.560095CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bryan, A., Fisher, J. D., & Fisher, W. A. (2002). Tests of the mediational role of preparatory safer sexual behavior in the context of the theory of planned behavior. Health Psychology, 21, 71–80. https://doi.org/10.1037//0278-6133.21.1.71CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carraro, N., & Gaudreau, P. (2013). Spontaneous and experimentally induced action planning and coping planning for physical activity: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14, 228–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.10.004Google Scholar
Chapman, J., & Armitage, C. J. (2010). Evidence that boosters augment the long-term impact of implementation intentions on fruit and vegetable intake. Psychology and Health, 25, 365–381. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440802642148Google Scholar
Churchill, S., & Jessop, D. C. (2010). Too impulsive for implementation intentions? Evidence that impulsivity moderates the effectiveness of an implementation intention intervention. Psychology and Health, 26, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870441003611536Google Scholar
Conner, M., & Norman, P. (2015). Predicting Health Behaviour: Research and Practice with Social Cognition Models. Maidenhead: Open University Press.Google Scholar
de Bruijn, G. J., Gardner, B., van Osch, L., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2014). Predicting automaticity in exercise behaviour: The role of perceived behavioural control, affect, intention, action planning, and behaviour. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 21, 767–774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-013-9348-4Google Scholar
de Bruijn, G. J., Nguyen, M. H., Rhodes, R. E., & van Osch, L. (2017). Effects of preparatory and action planning instructions on situation-specific and general fruit and snack intake. Appetite, 108, 161–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.09.016Google Scholar
de Vries, H., Mesters, I., van de Steeg, H., & Honing, C. (2005). The general public’s information needs and perceptions regarding hereditary cancer: An application of the integrated change model. Patient Education and Counseling, 56, 154–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2004.01.002CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, Attitude, Intention, and Behavior. Don Mills, NY: Addison-Wesley.Google Scholar
Fleig, L., Pomp, S., Parschau, L. et al. (2013). From intentions via planning and behavior to physical exercise habits. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14, 632–649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2013.03.006CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gardner, B., Phillips, L. A., & Judah, G. (2016). Habitual instigation and habitual execution: Definition, measurement, and effects on behaviour frequency. British Journal of Health Psychology, 21, 613–630. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12189CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gollwitzer, P. M. (1990). Action phases and mind-sets. In Higgins, E. T. & Sorrentino, R. M. (Eds.), Handbook of Motivation and Cognition: Foundations of Social Behavior, Vol. 2 (pp. 53–92). New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999). Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans. American Psychologist, 54, 493–503. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.54.7.493Google Scholar
Gollwitzer, P. M. (2014). Weakness of the will: Is a quick fix possible? Motivation and Emotion, 38, 305–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-014-9416-3CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gollwitzer, P. M., & Brandstatter, V. (1997). Implementation intentions and effective goal pursuit. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 186–199. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.73.1.186CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38002–1Google Scholar
Gӧhner, w., Seelig, H., & Fuchs, R. (2009). Intervention effects on cognitive antecedents of physical exercise: A 1-year follow-up study. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 1, 233–256. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2009.01014.xGoogle Scholar
Hagger, M. S., & Chatzisarantis, N. L. D. (2014). An integrated behavior-change model for physical activity. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 42, 62–69. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000008Google Scholar
Hagger, M. S., & Luszczynska, A. (2014). Implementation intention and action planning interventions in health contexts: State of the research and proposals for the way forward. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 6, 1–47. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12017Google ScholarPubMed
Hagger, M. S., Luszczynska, A., de Wit, J. et al. (2016). Implementation intention and planning interventions in health psychology: Recommendations from the Synergy Expert Group for research and practice. Psychology and Health, 31, 814–839. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2016.1146719CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hall, P. A., & Fong, G. T. (2007). Temporal self-regulation theory: A model for individual health behavior. Health Psychology Review, 1, 6–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437190701492437Google Scholar
Harris, P. R., Brearley, I., Sheeran, P. et al. (2014). Combining self-affirmation with implementation intentions to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. Health Psychology, 33, 729–736. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000065Google Scholar
Heckhausen, H., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (1987). Thought contents and cognitive functioning in motivational and volitional states of mind. Motivation and Emotion, 11, 101–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00992338Google Scholar
Knäuper, B., McCollam, A., Rosen-Brown, A., Lacaille, J., Kelso, E., & Roseman, M. (2011). Fruitful plans: Adding targeted mental imagery to implementation intentions increases fruit consumption. Psychology and Health, 26, 601–617. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870441003703218Google Scholar
Kuhl, J. (1984). Motivational aspects of achievement motivation and learned helplessness: Towards a comprehensive theory of action control. In Maher, B. A. & Maher, W. B. (Eds.), Progress in Experimental Personality Research, Vol. 13 (pp. 99–171). New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Kwasnicka, D., Presseau, J., White, M., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2013). Does planning how to cope with anticipated barriers facilitate health-related behaviour change? A systematic review. Health Psychology Review, 7, 129–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2013.766832Google Scholar
Leventhal, H., Singer, R., & Jones, S. (1965). Effects of fear and specificity of recommendation upon attitudes and behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2, 20–29. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0022089Google Scholar
Lewin, K. (1951). Intention, will and need. In Rapaport, D. (Ed.), Organization and Pathology of Thought: Selected Sources (pp. 95–153). New York: Columbia University Press.Google Scholar
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation. American Psychologist, 57, 705–717. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705Google Scholar
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2006). New directions in goal setting theory. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 265–268. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2006.00449.xGoogle Scholar
Martin, S. B., Morrow, J. R. J., Jackson, A. W., & Dunn, A. L. (2000). Variables related to meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32, 2087–2092. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200012000-00019Google Scholar
McEachan, R., Taylor, N., Harrison, R., Lawton, R., Gardner, P., & Conner, M. (2016). Meta-analysis of the reasoned action approach (RAA) to understanding health behaviors. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 50, 592–612. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-016-9798-4Google Scholar
Michie, S., Richardson, M., Johnston, M. et al. (2013). The behavior change technique taxonomy (v1) of 93 hierarchically clustered techniques: Building an international consensus for the reporting of behavior change interventions. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 46, 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9486-6Google Scholar
Napolitano, C. M., & Freund, A. M. (2016). On the use and usefulness of backup plans. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11, 56–73. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691615596991Google Scholar
O’Donovan, G., & Shave, R. (2007). British adults’ views on the health benefits of moderate and vigorous activity. Preventive Medicine, 45, 432–435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2007.07.026CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Orbell, S. (2004). Intention-behaviour relations: A self-regulation perspective. In Haddock, G. & Maio, G. R. O. (Eds.), Contemporary Perspectives on the Psychology of Attitudes (pp. 145–168). London: Psychology Press.Google Scholar
Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1982). Transtheoretical therapy: Toward a more integrative model of change. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 19, 276–288. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0088437 https://doi.org/10.1037/h0088437Google Scholar
Rhodes, R. E. (2015). Building from the cracks of our foundational physical activity theories. Paper presented at the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology Conference, Edmonton, Alberta, October 16–18.Google Scholar
Rhodes, R. E. (2017). The evolving understanding of physical activity behavior: A multi-process action control approach. In Elliot, A. J. (Ed.), Advances in Motivation Science, Vol. 4 (pp. 171–205). Cambridge, MA: Elsevier Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.adms.2016.11.001Google Scholar
Rhodes, R. E., & de Bruijn, G. J. (2013a). How big is the physical activity intention-behaviour gap? A meta-analysis using the action control framework. British Journal of Health Psychology, 18, 296–309. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12032Google Scholar
Rhodes, R. E., & de Bruijn, G. J. (2013b). What predicts intention-behavior discordance? A review of the action control framework. Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews, 41, 201–207. https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e3182a4e6edCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rhodes, R. E., & Rebar, A. (2017). Conceptualizing and defining the intention construct for future physical activity research. Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews, 45, 209–216. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000127CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rhodes, R. E., & Rebar, A. (2018). Physical activity habit: Complexities and controversies. In Verplanken, B. (Ed.), The Psychology of Habit (pp. 91–109). Cham: Springer.Google Scholar
Rhodes, R. E., & Yao, C. (2015). Models accounting for intention-behavior discordance in the physical activity domain: A user’s guide, content overview, and review of current evidence. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0168-6Google Scholar
Rosenstock, I. M. (1974). Historical origins of the health belief model. Health Education Monographs, 2, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019817400200403Google Scholar
Schwarzer, R. (2008). Modeling health behavior change: How to predict and modify the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors. Applied Psychology, 57, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2007.00325.xGoogle Scholar
Schwarzer, R. (2016). Coping planning as an intervention component: A commentary. Psychology and Health, 31, 903–906. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2016.1158260Google Scholar
Sheeran, P. (2002). Intention-behaviour relations: A conceptual and empirical review. In Hewstone, M. & Stroebe, W. (Eds.), European Review of Social Psychology, Vol. 12 (pp. 1–36). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1080/14792772143000003Google Scholar
Sheeran, P., & Webb, T. L. (2016). The intention-behavior gap. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 10, 503–518. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12265Google Scholar
Sniehotta, F. F. (2009). Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulation. British Journal of Health Psychology, 14, 261–273. https://doi.org/10.1348/135910708X389042Google Scholar
Sniehotta, F. F., Schwarzer, R., Scholz, U., & Schüz, B. (2005). Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment. European Journal of Social Psychology, 35, 565–576. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.258CrossRefGoogle Scholar
The Telegraph. (2017). The most common New Year’s resolutions – and how to stick to them. The Telegraph, January 5. www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/common-new-years-resolutions-stick/Google Scholar
van Osch, L., Lechner, L., Reubsaet, A., & De Vries, H. (2010). From theory to practice: An explorative study into the instrumentality and specificity of implementation intentions. Psychology and Health, 25, 351–364. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440802642155CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vilà, I., Carrero, I., & Redondo, R. (2017). Reducing fat intake using implementation intentions: A meta‐analytic review. British Journal of Health Psychology, 22, 281–294. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12230Google Scholar
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Does changing behavioral intentions engender behavior change? A meta-analysis of the experimental evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 132, 249–268. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.2.249Google Scholar
Wilson, B. A., Alderman, N., Burgess, P. W., Emslie, H., & Evans, J. J. (1996). Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome. Bury St Edmunds: Thames Valley Test Company.Google Scholar
Wood, W., & Runger, D. (2016). Psychology of habit. Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×