Implementation intentions and goal achievement: a meta-analysis of effects and processes
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Adapting specific implementation intentions ("if-then"-plans rather than overall goal intentions) may have a strong effect on goal attainment.
“Also, as reviewed by Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006), adapting specific implementation intentions (“if-then”-plans rather than overall goal intentions) may have a strong effect on goal attainment.”
From How Study Environments Foster Academic Procrastination: Overview and Recommendations (2020) · cites this paper as Gollwitzer and Sheeran, 2006
For women with, or at risk of GDM, bridging this intention-behaviour gap is likely to require specific action planning alongside concise, credible and condition‐relevant guidance.
“For women with, or at risk of GDM, bridging this intention–behaviour gap is likely to require specific action planning alongside concise, credible and condition‐relevant guidance [53, 54].”
From Preconception Perceptions, Knowledge and Behaviours of Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Qualitative Study (2026) · cites this paper as [53]
One encourages people to form realistic, concrete plans for how to implement their new health-related goals in specific situations.
“One encourages people to form realistic, concrete plans for how to implement their new health-related goals in specific situations (Gollwitzer & Sheeran 2006).”
From The Psychology of Change: Self-Affirmation and Social Psychological Intervention (2014) · cites this paper as Gollwitzer & Sheeran 2006
Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006) found implementation intentions had a positive effect on goal attainment in achievements, relationships, and health, with a medium to large effect size Cohen's d = 0.65 (95% CI = 0.6, 0.7).
“Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006) found that implementation intentions had a positive effect on improving goal attainment in terms of achievements, relationships, and health, with a medium to large effect size [Cohen' d = 0.65 (95% CI = 0.6, 0.7)].”
From A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions on Goal Attainment (2021) · cites this paper as Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006)
Implementing study intentions and plans enhances self-regulation and performance.
“Studies show that implementing study intentions and plans enhances self-regulation and performance (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006;Schwinger & Otterpohl, 2017).”
From The Potential of Exam Wrappers in Higher Education Assessment Practice: Fostering Self-Efficacy Through Guided Self-Reflection (2025) · cites this paper as Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006
Implementation intentions facilitate the attainment of all kinds of goals, including academic, health, and interpersonal goals.
“As recently reported in a meta-analysis, implementation intentions facilitate the attainment of all kinds of goals (e.g., academic, health, and interpersonal goals; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
From Implementation Intentions Facilitate Response Inhibition in Children with ADHD (2008) · cites this paper as Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006
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“However, bivariate correlations between goal intentions and future behavior may overestimate the strength of intention–behavior relations because it is possible that future behavior and goal intentions are both determined by self‐perceptions of past behavior (Bem, 1972).”
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“…and Van’t Spijjker (2000) Write a report 80 .75 Lengfelder and Gollwitzer (2001) Study 2 Go/No Go task 67 .80 Lippke and Ziegelmann (2002) Exercise 88 .18 Milne, Orbell, and Sheeran (2002) Exercise 248 1.25 Milne and Sheeran (2002a) Testicular self‐examination 432 .43 continues Milne and Sheeran…”
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“…Binge drinking 102 .68 Oettingen, Hö nig, and Gollwitzer (2000) Study 2 Compose a CV 20 1.25 Oettingen et al. (2000) Study 3 Complete a project 25 .80 Orbell, Hodgkins, and Sheeran (1997) Breast self‐ examination 155 1.22 Orbell and Sheeran (1999) Study 3 Reduce snack food consumption 111…”
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“Findings showed that, excluding two studies (Lengfelder & Gollwitzer, 2001, Study 2; Brandstätter et al., 2001, Study 2).”
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“If an unwanted behavior possesses features of automaticity, it should be especially diYcult to control (Aarts &Dijskterhuis, 2000a,b; Sheeran et al., 2005a; Verplanken & Aarts, 1999; Wood, Quinn, & Kashy, 2002).”
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Attaining personal goals: Self-concordance plus implementation intentions equals success.
Koestner, R., Lekes, N., Powers, T. A., & Chicoine, E. (2002) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.83.1.231 · Cited by 526 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…54 1.42 Koestner, Downie, Horberg, and Hata (2002a) Personal goals 106 .39 Koestner, Lekes, Powers, and Chicoine (2002b) Study 1 Personal goals 106 .39 Koestner et al. (2002b) Study 2 New Year resolutions 38 .32 Koole and Van’t Spijjker (2000) Write a report 80 .75 Lengfelder and Gollwitzer…”
BackgroundInfluentialTHE EFFECTS OF FRAMING AND NEGOTIATOR OVERCONFIDENCE ON BARGAINING BEHAVIORS AND OUTCOMES.
Neale, M. A., & Bazerman, M. H. (1985) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.2307/256060 · Cited by 501 · cited 1× · see citing works
“A similar issue arises in relation to the impact of loss versus gain frames on negotiation outcomes (De Dreu, Carnevale, Emans, & van de Vliert, 1995; Neale & Bazerman, 1985).”
BackgroundPersistence of health habits and their relationship to mortality
Breslow, L., & Enstrom, J. E. (1980) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/0091-7435(80)90042-0 · Cited by 491 · see citing works
Using implementation intentions to increase attendance for cervical cancer screening.
Sheeran, P., & Orbell, S. (2000) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037//0278-6133.19.3.283 · Cited by 477 · see citing works
Self-citationRage and reason: the psychology of the intuitive prosecutor
Goldberg, J. H., Lerner, J. S., & Tetlock, P. E. (1999) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-0992(199908/09)29:5/6 · Cited by 468 · see citing works
‘Inclined abstainers’: A problem for predicting health‐related behaviour
Orbell, S., & Sheeran, P. (1998) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.2044-8309.1998.tb01162.x · Cited by 465 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Although accumulated research supports this idea (e.g., Armitage & Conner, 2001; Sheeran, 2002; Sutton, 1998), there is also contrary evidence that gives credence to the proverb that ‘‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’’ (Orbell & Sheeran, 1998; Sheeran, 2002).”
BackgroundResultSelf-citationConfronting the failure of behavioral and dietary treatments for obesity
Garner, D. M., & Wooley, S. C. (1991) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/0272-7358(91)90128-h · Cited by 456 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Keeping such behavioral responses in check merely by forming the respective goal intention may not be suYcient, as research on weight loss and smoking cessation has shown (e.g., COMMIT Research Group, 1995; Garner & Wooley, 1991).”
ResultWr, L., Freedman, L., Green, S., Corle, D., Gail, M. H., Re, G., Hartwell, T., Km, C., Ockene, J., & Giffen, C. (1995) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.85.2.183 · Cited by 452 · see citing works
Implementation intentions and efficient action initiation.
Brandstätter, V., Lengfelder, A., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2001) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.81.5.946 · Cited by 445 · see citing works
Self-citationDo intentions predict condom use? Metaanalysis and examination of six moderator variables
Sheeran, P., & Orbell, S. (1998) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.2044-8309.1998.tb01167.x · Cited by 421 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Similarly, meta‐analysis has shown that the longer the time interval between measures of goal intentions and goal achievement, the less likely it is that intentions are realized (Sheeran & Orbell, 1998).”
BackgroundSelf-citationHow do implementation intentions promote goal attainment? A test of component processes
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2007) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2006.02.001 · Cited by 414 · see citing works
Self-citationGoal Effects on Action and Cognition
Gollwitzer, P. M., & Moskowitz, G. B. (1996) · KOPS (University of Konstanz) · Cited by 404 · see citing works
Self-citationMetacognition in Action: The Importance of Implementation Intentions
Gollwitzer, P. M., & Schaal, B. (1998) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr0202_5 · Cited by 402 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…stimuli (opportunities related to competing goal pursuits) can greatly undermine achievement of the focal (task) goal—as was demonstrated by Mischel and Patterson’s (1978; Patterson & Mischel, 1976) c la ss ic s tu d ie s o n r es is ta nc e to temptation (see also Gollwitzer & Schaal, 1998).”
BackgroundSelf-citationRelationship of health practices and mortality
Belloc, N. B. (1973) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/0091-7435(73)90009-1 · Cited by 392 · see citing works
Bagozzi, R. P., Dholakia, U. M., & Basuroy, S. (2003) · Journal of Behavioral Decision Making · doi:10.1002/bdm.446 · Cited by 388 · see citing works
Can implementation intentions help to overcome ego-depletion?
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2003) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0022-1031(02)00527-9 · Cited by 383 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Consistent with this idea, Webb and Sheeran (2003) found that ego‐depleted participants and nondepleted controls exhibited substantive diVerences in puzzle task performance.”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationSelf-regulation of motivation through anticipatory and self-reactive mechanisms.
Bandura, A. (1990) · PubMed · Cited by 371 · see citing works
Using implementation intentions to increase attendance for cervical cancer screening.
Sheeran, P., & Orbell, S. (2000) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.19.3.283 · Cited by 365 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…snack good consumption 129 .49 Sheeran and Orbell (1999) Study 1 Vitamin supplement use 78 .35 Sheeran and Orbell (1999) Study 2 Vitamin supplement use 37 .59 Sheeran and Orbell (2000) Cervical cancer screening 104 .58 Sheeran and Silverman (2003) Attendance at workplace safety training 271 .52…”
BackgroundSelf-citationBargh, J. A. (1992) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.2307/1423027 · Cited by 359 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Accordingly, the execution of a behavior specified in an implementation intention should exhibit features of automaticity as identified by Bargh (1992, 1994).”
BackgroundAttitude–Behavior Relations: A Meta-Analysis of Attitudinal Relevance and Topic
Kim, M., & Hunter, J. E. (1993) · Journal of Communication · doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01251.x · Cited by 355 · cited 1× · see citing works
“For example, reviews of the theory of reasoned action (Kim & Hunter, 1993; Sheppard, Hardwick, & Warshaw, 1988; van den Putte, 1993), the theory of planned behavior (Armitage&Conner, 2001;Godin&Kok, 1996;Hausenblas,Carron, & Mack, 1997), and protection motivation theory (Floyd, Prentice‐Dunn, &…”
BackgroundHolland, R. W., Aarts, H., & Langendam, D. (2006) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2005.11.006 · Cited by 350 · see citing works
Effects of deliberative and implemental mind-sets on illusion of control.
Gollwitzer, P. M., & Kinney, R. F. (1989) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.56.4.531 · Cited by 333 · see citing works
Self-citationIntention–Behavior Relations: A Conceptual and Empirical Review
Sheeran, P. (2001) · European Review of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/0470013478.ch1 · Cited by 324 · see citing works
Self-citationLewin, K. (1926) · Psychological Research · doi:10.1007/bf02424365 · Cited by 301 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The model agrees with classic motivational notions (e.g., Atkinson, 1957; Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975; Lewin, 1926) that people commit to those goals in which attainment is perceived as both highly desirable and feasible.”
MethodContemporary Perspectives on the Psychology of Attitudes
Perugini, M., & Bagozzi, R. (2004) · Psychology Press eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203645031 · Cited by 299 · see citing works
THE AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION OF GOAL-DIRECTED BEHAVIOUR: THE CASE OF TRAVEL HABIT
Aarts, H., & Dijksterhuis, A. (2000) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1006/jevp.1999.0156 · Cited by 293 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Automaticity commonly characterizes highly overlearned activities (e.g., driving a car, typing) including the operation of habits (Aarts & Dijksterhuis, 2000a,b; Sheeran et al., 2005a; Wood et al., 2002).”
BackgroundOrbell, S., & Sheeran, P. (2000) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2000.tb02823.x · Cited by 254 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…155 1.22 Orbell and Sheeran (1999) Study 3 Reduce snack food consumption 111 .61 Orbell and Sheeran (1999) Study 4 Reduce snack food consumption 93 .45 Orbell and Sheeran (2000) Recovery of functional activities 64 .70 Prestwich, Lawton, and Conner (2003a) Personal goals 79 .54 Prestwich,…”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationExpectancy effects on behavior depend on self-regulatory thought
Oettingen, G. (2000) · Social Cognition · doi:10.1521/soco.2000.18.2.101 · Cited by 254 · cited 1× · see citing works
“, mental contrasting) is a particularly eVective strategy for discovering powerful barriers and hindrances that stand in the way of realizing desired outcomes (Oettingen, 2000; Oettingen et al., 2001).”
BackgroundThe use of implementation intentions and the decision balance sheet in promoting exercise behaviour
Prestwich, A., Lawton, R., & Conner, M. T. (2003) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870440310001594493 · Cited by 245 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…consumption 111 .61 Orbell and Sheeran (1999) Study 4 Reduce snack food consumption 93 .45 Orbell and Sheeran (2000) Recovery of functional activities 64 .70 Prestwich, Lawton, and Conner (2003a) Personal goals 79 .54 Prestwich, Lawton, and Conner (2003b) Exercise 58 .68 Rise, Thompson, and…”
BackgroundInfluentialEffective self-regulation of goal attainment
Oettingen, G., Hönig, G., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2000) · International Journal of Educational Research · doi:10.1016/s0883-0355(00)00046-x · Cited by 243 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Immediacy has been tested by means of response latencies (e.g., Webb & Sheeran, 2004) and the temporal proximity of actual performance to the time of performance specified in the implementation intention (e.g., Gollwitzer & Brandstätter, 1997; Oettingen et al., 2000, Experiment 3).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citationImplementation Intentions and Facilitation of Prospective Memory
Chasteen, A. L., Park, D. C., & Schwarz, N. (2001) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00385 · Cited by 241 · see citing works
Spencer, S. J., Fein, S., Zanna, M. P., & Olson, J. M. (2003) · Psychology Press eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781410606679 · Cited by 240 · see citing works
Evidence that implementation intentions reduce dietary fat intake: A randomized trial.
Armitage, C. J. (2004) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.23.3.319 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
Brockner, J., Rubin, J. Z., & Lang, E. (1981) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/0022-1031(81)90007-x · Cited by 236 · see citing works
Identifying good opportunities to act: Implementation intentions and cue discrimination
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2004) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.205 · Cited by 221 · cited 6× · see citing works
“For instance, Webb and Sheeran (2004) used a classic illusion paradigm from the psychology of language to investigate cue detection by goal intentions as compared to implementation intentions.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citationForgetting of intentions in demanding situations is rapid.
Einstein, G., McDaniel, M. A., Williford, C. L., Pagan, J. L., & Dismukes, R. (2003) · Journal of experimental psychology. Applied · doi:10.1037/1076-898x.9.3.147 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
Lewin, K. (1926) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-50826-4_2 · Cited by 202 · see citing works
Trafimow, D. (2009) · Theory & Psychology · doi:10.1177/0959354309336319 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Retrieval processes in prospective memory : Theoretical approaches and some new empirical findings
Einstein, G. (1996) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Measuring implementation intentions in the context of the theory of planned behavior
Rise, J., Thompson, M., & Verplanken, B. (2003) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/1467-9450.00325 · Cited by 172 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…Recovery of functional activities 64 .70 Prestwich, Lawton, and Conner (2003a) Personal goals 79 .54 Prestwich, Lawton, and Conner (2003b) Exercise 58 .68 Rise, Thompson, and Verplanken (2003) Exercise and recycling 112 1.58 Schaal (1993) Arithmetic task 40 .93 Sheeran and Milne (2003) Reduce…”
BackgroundInfluentialA comparison of three models of attitude-behavior relationships in the studying behavior domain
Leone, L., Perugini, M., & Ercolani, A. P. (1999) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-0992(199903/05)29:2/3 · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Self-citationGoal Setting and Goal Striving
Oettingen, G., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2001) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9780470998519.ch15 · Cited by 156 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The basic assumption is that the strength of a person’s intention determines respective accomplishments (Austin & Vancouver, 1996; Gollwitzer & Moskowitz, 1996; Oettingen & Gollwitzer, 2001; Sheeran, 2002).”
BackgroundSelf-citationReflective and reflexive action control in patients with frontal brain lesions.
Lengfelder, A., & Gollwitzer, P. (2001) · Neuropsychology · doi:10.1037//0894-4105.15.1.80 · Cited by 151 · cited 3× · see citing works
“…(2002b) Study 1 Personal goals 106 .39 Koestner et al. (2002b) Study 2 New Year resolutions 38 .32 Koole and Van’t Spijjker (2000) Write a report 80 .75 Lengfelder and Gollwitzer (2001) Study 2 Go/No Go task 67 .80 Lippke and Ziegelmann (2002) Exercise 88 .18 Milne, Orbell, and Sheeran (2002)…”
BackgroundMethodSelf-citationReflective and reflexive action control in patients with frontal brain lesions.
Lengfelder, A., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2001) · Neuropsychology · doi:10.1037/0894-4105.15.1.80 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Self-citationThe goal‐dependent automaticity of drinking habits
Sheeran, P., Aarts, H., Ruud Custers, A., Rivis, A., Webb, T. L., & Cooke, R. W. I. (2005) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1348/014466604x23446 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Self-citationSelf-symbolizing and the neglect of others' perspectives.
Gollwitzer, P. M., & Wicklund, R. A. (1985) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.48.3.702 · Cited by 127 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Consequently, incomplete individuals tend to become absorbed in self‐symbolizing activities and thus neglect the thoughts and feelings of an audience; their interactions with others exhibit social insensitivity (Gollwitzer & Wicklund, 1985).”
BackgroundSelf-citationImpediments to safer heterosexual sex: a review of research with young people
Wight, D. (1992) · AIDS Care · doi:10.1080/09540129208251616 · Cited by 126 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Evidence for this explanation of intention–behavior discrepancies comes, for instance, from the field of sexual health in which findings show that young people may, in ‘‘the heat of the moment’’ of a sexual encounter, have problems overcoming reluctance to practice safer sex (e.g., Abraham et al., 1999; Sheeran, White…”
BackgroundResultBobocel, D. R., & Meyer, J. P. (1994) · Journal of Applied Psychology · doi:10.1037//0021-9010.79.3.360 · Cited by 125 · cited 1× · see citing works
“For instance, Brandstätter et al. (2001) assigned heroin addiction patients the task of writing a curriculum vitae within a set time period.”
BackgroundEffects of temptation-inhibiting and task-facilitating plans on self-control.
Patterson, C. J., & Mischel, W. (1976) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.33.2.209 · Cited by 123 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…stimuli (opportunities related to competing goal pursuits) can greatly undermine achievement of the focal (task) goal—as was demonstrated by Mischel and Patterson’s (1978; Patterson & Mischel, 1976) c la ss ic s tu d ie s o n r es is ta nc e to temptation (see also Gollwitzer & Schaal, 1998).”
BackgroundSheeran, P., & Silverman, M. (2003) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00220-4 · Cited by 122 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…1 Vitamin supplement use 78 .35 Sheeran and Orbell (1999) Study 2 Vitamin supplement use 37 .59 Sheeran and Orbell (2000) Cervical cancer screening 104 .58 Sheeran and Silverman (2003) Attendance at workplace safety training 271 .52 Sheeran and Webb (2003) Stroop performance 48 1.62 Sheeran,…”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationWhen success breeds failure: History, hysteresis, and delayed exit decisions.
Bragger, J. D., Hantula, D. A., Bragger, D., Kirnan, J. P., & Kutcher, E. J. (2003) · Journal of Applied Psychology · doi:10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.6 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
When Good Intentions Are Not Enough: Modeling Postdecisional Cognitive Correlates of Condom Use1
Abraham, C., Sheeran, P., Norman, P. E., Conner, M. T., de Vries, N. K., & Otten, W. (1999) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.1999.tb00127.x · Cited by 103 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…comes, for instance, from the field of sexual health in which findings show that young people may, in ‘‘the heat of the moment’’ of a sexual encounter, have problems overcoming reluctance to practice safer sex (e.g., Abraham et al., 1999; Sheeran, White, & Phillips, 1991; Wight, 1992).”
BackgroundSelf-citationGollwitzer, P. M., Boyer, U. C., & McCulloch, K. C. (2006) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195307696.003.0018 · Cited by 102 · cited 3× · see citing works
“There is a second circumstance in which shielding an ongoing goal pursuit becomes crucial (Gollwitzer et al., 2005).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationAffective States and the Influence of Activated General Knowledge
Bless, H., & Fiedler, K. (1995) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167295217010 · Cited by 102 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Consequently, people are more liable to stereotyping when they are in a good mood than when they are in a bad mood (Bless, 1997; Bless & Fiedler, 1995).”
BackgroundDholakia, U. M., & Bagozzi, R. P. (2002) · Journal of Behavioral Decision Making · doi:10.1002/bdm.408 · Cited by 88 · cited 2× · see citing works
“For instance, people who set themselves learning goals rather than performance goals are better at dealing with failure experiences and, co nsequentl y, sh ow more persi stent an d success ful goa l pursu it (Dweck, 2000 ). Higgins (2000) demo nstrates that peop le who pursue their go als using means that have a natur…”
BackgroundTelling what they want to know: participants tailor causal attributions to researchers' interests
Ara Norenzayan, A., & Schwarz, N. (1999) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-0992(199912)29:8 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Brandstätter, V., Heimbeck, D., Malzacher, J., & Fresé, M. (2003) · European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology · doi:10.1080/13594320344000011 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Bamberg, S. (2000) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2000.tb02474.x · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Bobocel, D. R., & Meyer, J. P. (1994) · Journal of Applied Psychology · doi:10.1037/0021-9010.79.3.360 · Cited by 77
MODERATING BINGE DRINKING: IT IS POSSIBLE TO CHANGE BEHAVIOUR IF YOU PLAN IT IN ADVANCE
Murgraff, V., WHITE, D., & Phillips, K. C. (1996) · Alcohol and Alcoholism · doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008193 · Cited by 73 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…432 .43 continues Milne and Sheeran (2002b) Persistence with boring task 66 1.35 Milne and Sheeran (2002c) Visit study skills website 183 .87 MurgraV, White, and Phillips (1996) Binge drinking 102 .68 Oettingen, Hö nig, and Gollwitzer (2000) Study 2 Compose a CV 20 1.25 Oettingen…”
BackgroundInfluentialIntegrating concepts from goal theories to understand the achievement of personal goals
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2004) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.233 · Cited by 70 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Goal intentions signal the end of deliberation about what actions to perform or outcomes to reach; they imply a commitment to act that may vary in strength (Ajzen, 1991; Gollwitzer, 1990; Sheeran, 2002; Webb & Sheeran, 2005a).”
BackgroundSelf-citationSteadman, L., & Quine, L. (2004) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1348/1359107042304551 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Toward a Reconceptualization of Attitude-Behavior Consistency
McBroom, W. H., & Reed, F. W. (1992) · Social Psychology Quarterly · doi:10.2307/2786946 · Cited by 63 · cited 1× · see citing works
“A converging line of research has decomposed the intention–behavior relation in terms of a 2 (goal intention: to act vs. not to act) 2 (goal achievement: acted vs. did not act) matrix (McBroom & Reid, 1992; Orbell & Sheeran, 1998; Sheeran, 2002).”
BackgroundThe Volitional and Strategic Effects of Planning on Task Performance and Goal Commitment
Diefendorff, J. M., & Lord, R. G. (2003) · Human Performance · doi:10.1207/s15327043hup1604_3 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Bamberg, S. (2002) · Journal of Economic Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0167-4870(02)00118-6 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Financial Budgets and Escalation Effects
Tan, H., & Yates, J. F. (2002) · Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes · doi:10.1006/obhd.2001.2967 · Cited by 40 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Researchers have studied such failure to disengage under varying labels, such as sunk costs (e.g., Arkes & Blumer, 1985), entrapment (e.g., Brockner, Rubin, & Lang, 1981), and escalation of commitment (e.g., Tan & Yates, 2002).”
BackgroundAs Time Goes By: How Goal and Implementation Intentions Influence Enactment of Short‐Fuse Behaviors1
Dholakia, U. M., & Pbagozzi, R. (2003) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2003.tb01930.x · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Outcome Frames in Bilateral Negotiation: Resistance to Concession Making and Frame Adoption
Dreu, C. K. W. D., de Vliert, E. V., Carnevale, P. J. D., & Emans, B. J. M. (1995) · European Review of Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/14792779443000021 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Fenner, D. B., Lerch, F. J., & Kulik, C. T. (1993) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.1993.tb01104.x · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Implementation intentions do not enhance all types of goals: The moderating role of goal difficulty
Dewitte, S., Verguts, T., & Lens, W. (2003) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-003-1014-6 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Semisimple Quantum Cohomology and Blow-ups
Bayer, A. (2004) · International Mathematics Research Notices · doi:10.1155/s1073792804140907 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
The role of planning for intention‐behavior consistency
Gillholm, R., Ettema, D., Selart, M., & Gärling, T. (1999) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/1467-9450.404123 · Cited by 26 · cited 7× · see citing works
“01 Gillholm et al. (1999) Study 2 Mail response forms 48 .02 Gollwitzer and Bayer (2004a) Study 1 Degree of perspective taking 34 1.16 Gollwitzer and Bayer (2004a) Study 2 Social loafing task 42 .”
BackgroundInfluentialA theory about the translation of cognition into affect and behavior
Sheeran, P., & Trafimow, D. (2004) · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Self-citationPremarital contraceptive use: A review of the psychological literature
Sheeran, P., White, D., & Phillips, K. C. (1991) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646839108403261 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citationSmoking Prevention Intervention in Adolescents
Bauchner, H. (2008) · Journal watch · doi:10.1056/jw200805080000005 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Milne, S. E., & Sheeran, P. (2002) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e536932011-096 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citationStand by your plan : a new approach to the planning fallacy.
Williams, S. (2002) · OpenGrey (Institut de l'Information Scientifique et Technique) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
An individual difference measure of the tendency to form implementation intentions
Gollwitzer, P. M., Grant, H., & Oettingen, G. (2004) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e633912013-690 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationReflexive competition and its self-regulation
Bulgarella, C., Oettingen, G., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2003) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e633872013-603 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationDechesne (2000) · doi:10.1002/1099-0992(200011/12)30:6
Gollwitzer, P. M., Bayer, U. C., & McCulloch, K. C. (2004) · The New Unconscious · doi:10.1093/oso/9780195149951.003.0018
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Gollwitzer, 1990, Action phases and mindsets, Vol. 2, 53
- Mischel, 1978, Effective plans for self‐control in children, Vol. 11, 199
- Shah, 2003, Goal systems theory: Integrating the cognitive and motivational aspects of self‐regulation. A goal systems approach to self‐regulation, Vol. 9, 247
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2006) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.132.2.249 · Cited by 3,732 · see citing works
Self-citationvan Zomeren, M., Postmes, T., & Spears, R. (2008) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.4.504 · Cited by 2,714 · see citing works
Schwarzer, R. (2008) · Applied Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1464-0597.2007.00325.x · Cited by 2,569 · see citing works
“…of performance, partly because behavior might be elicited almost “automatically” when the relevant situational cues are encountered; people do not forget their intentions easily when specified in a when, where, and how manner (for an overview and meta-analysis, see Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundConstructive and unconstructive repetitive thought
Watkins, E. R. (2008) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.2.163 · Cited by 2,421 · see citing works
Sheeran, P., & Webb, T. L. (2016) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12265 · Cited by 2,185 · see citing works
Self-citationImplementing, Embedding, and Integrating Practices: An Outline of Normalization Process Theory
May, C., & Finch, T. (2009) · Sociology · doi:10.1177/0038038509103208 · Cited by 2,115 · see citing works
“Meta-analyses have suggested that these theories can explain up to 25 per cent of variance in outcomes, in prospective studies of behaviour change (Gollwitzer and Sheeran, 2006; Webb and Sheeran, 2006).”
Backgroundde Ridder, D. T. D., Lensvelt-Mulders, G., Finkenauer, C., Stok, F. M., & Baumeister, R. F. (2012) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868311418749 · Cited by 1,693 · see citing works
“An impressive number of studies have provided convincing evidence that intended behavior does not necessarily translate into actual behavior (Gollwitzer, 1990; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006; Heckhausen & Gollwitzer, 1987).”
BackgroundWood, W., & Rünger, D. (2016) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417 · Cited by 1,445 · see citing works
Yardley, L., Morrison, L., Bradbury, K., & Muller, I. (2015) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.4055 · Cited by 1,442 · see citing works
“…social modeling of overcoming obstacles, using stories or testimonials from other users (which also increases relatedness), implementation planning [67], and providing tailored feedback based on self-reported progress towards goals (congratulating success in goal achievement and providing remedial…”
BackgroundCarrington, M., Neville, B. A., & Whitwell, G. (2010) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/s10551-010-0501-6 · Cited by 1,488 · see citing works
“Implementation intentions positively mediate the relationship between intentions and behaviour because these simple plans help individuals to get started in realising their intentions, shield their intentions from unwanted influences and avoid conflict (Dholakia et al., 2007; Gollwitzer and Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundInfluentialIncreasing Vaccination: Putting Psychological Science Into Action
Brewer, N. T., Chapman, G. B., Rothman, A. J., Leask, J., & Kempe, A. (2017) · Psychological Science in the Public Interest · doi:10.1177/1529100618760521 · Cited by 1,233 · see citing works
The Psychology of Change: Self-Affirmation and Social Psychological Intervention
Cohen, G. L., & Sherman, D. K. (2014) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115137 · Cited by 1,197 · see citing works
“One encourages people to form realistic, concrete plans for how to implement their new health-related goals in specific situations (Gollwitzer & Sheeran 2006).”
BackgroundA taxonomy of behaviour change methods: an Intervention Mapping approach
Kok, G., Gottlieb, N. H., Peters, G.-J. Y., Mullen, P. D., Parcel, G. S., Ruiter, R. A. C., Fernández, M. E., Markham, C., & Bartholomew, L. K. (2016) · Health Psychology Review · doi:10.1080/17437199.2015.1077155 · Cited by 1,137 · see citing works
The Psychology of Entrepreneurship
Fresé, M., & Gielnik, M. M. (2014) · Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091326 · Cited by 979 · see citing works
Sheeran, P., Harris, P. R., & Epton, T. (2013) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0033065 · Cited by 964 · see citing works
Self-citationLally, P., & Gardner, B. (2013) · Health Psychology Review · doi:10.1080/17437199.2011.603640 · Cited by 901 · see citing works
“A recent meta-analysis showed that implementation intentions had a medium to large effect on promoting initiation of an intended behaviour (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundChanging Human Behavior to Prevent Disease: The Importance of Targeting Automatic Processes
Marteau, T. M., Hollands, G. J., & Fletcher, P. C. (2012) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1226918 · Cited by 855 · see citing works
Gardner, B., Abraham, C., Lally, P. J., & de Bruijn, G. (2012) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/1479-5868-9-102 · Cited by 857 · see citing works
“one-off, pre-planned and highly specific cue-responses [46]), or ideomotor or primed behaviours [47,48].”
BackgroundThe Functional Theory of Counterfactual Thinking
Epstude, K., & Roese, N. J. (2008) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868308316091 · Cited by 858 · see citing works
“Perhaps most relevant to the functional theory of counterfactual thinking is recent research on implementation intentions (Gollwitzer, 1993, 1999; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundAre interventions theory-based? Development of a theory coding scheme.
Michie, S., & Prestwich, A. (2010) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0016939 · Cited by 855 · see citing works
Lost in translation: Exploring the ethical consumer intention–behavior gap
Carrington, M., Neville, B. A., & Whitwell, G. (2012) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2012.09.022 · Cited by 853 · see citing works
“This planning conceptually aligns with the notions of implementation intentions (Gollwitzer, 1999; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006), and implementation plans (Dholakia, Bagozzi, & Gopinath, 2007).”
MethodGabriel, A. S., Podsakoff, N. P., Beal, D. J., Scott, B. A., Sonnentag, S., Trougakos, J. P., & Butts, M. M. (2019) · Organizational Research Methods · doi:10.1177/1094428118802626 · Cited by 755 · see citing works
“Research has demonstrated that implementation intentions are a powerful volitional strategy that increases the likelihood that a target will perform a behavior (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundSchwarzer, R., Lippke, S., & Luszczynska, A. (2011) · Rehabilitation Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0024509 · Cited by 743 · see citing works
“In addition, metaanalyses included aspects of the HAPA (e.g., planning: Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006; self-efficacy, outcome expectancies and risk perception: Milne, Sheeran, & Orbell, 2000; behavior change techniques: Michie, Abraham, Whittington, McAteer, & Gupta, 2009; stages, self-efficacy,…”
BackgroundOn conceptualizing self-control as more than the effortful inhibition of impulses.
Fujita, K. (2011) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868311411165 · Cited by 734 · see citing works
“Research has documented the success of implementation intentions in promoting self-control in numerous domains, including procrastination on academic assignments, health screening, and health promoting behaviors (see Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006, for review).”
BackgroundNavigating Into the Future or Driven by the Past
Seligman, M. E. P., Railton, P., Baumeister, R. F., & Sripada, C. (2013) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691612474317 · Cited by 720 · see citing works
“…Gollwitzer and colleagues have shown that working with the if–then structure of the mind through the formation of situationally cued “subplan implementation intentions” can help individuals achieve better selfregulation and greater success in achieving long-term ends (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundHofmann, W., Friese, M., & Wiers, R. (2008) · Health Psychology Review · doi:10.1080/17437190802617668 · Cited by 694 · see citing works
“This research indicates the existence of automatized forms of self-regulation such as an automatic link between a tempting stimulus and an overriding restraint goal (Fishbach et al, 2003 ) or an automatic link between critical situational cues and concrete goal-directed responses (implementation intentions; eg, Achtzi…”
BackgroundWood, W., & Neal, D. T. (2009) · Journal of Consumer Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jcps.2009.08.003 · Cited by 626 · see citing works
“Although they are successful at behavior change in general (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006), little is known about how well they control strong habits.”
BackgroundSelf-Control and Academic Achievement
Duckworth, A. L., Taxer, J. L., Eskreis-Winkler, L., Galla, B. M., & Gross, J. J. (2019) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103230 · Cited by 662 · see citing works
Integrating Models of Self-Regulation
Inzlicht, M., Werner, K. M., Briskin, J. L., & Roberts, B. W. (2021) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-061020-105721 · Cited by 594 · see citing works
Sixty years of fear appeal research: Current state of the evidence
Ruiter, R. A. C., Kessels, L. T. E., Peters, G.-J., & Kok, G. (2014) · International Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1002/ijop.12042 · Cited by 586 · see citing works
Hagger, M. S., & Łuszczyńska, A. (2013) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12017 · Cited by 588 · see citing works
“…a link between situation and goal-oriented response (e.g. “If situation X is encountered, then I will perform response Y”), and therefore make explicit the link between a highly specific outcome after exposure to a highly specific cue or set of cues (Gollwitzer, 1999; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
InfluentialNonconscious processes and health.
Sheeran, P., Gollwitzer, P. M., & Bargh, J. A. (2013) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0029203 · Cited by 579 · see citing works
“A more time-efficient way of weakening attentional bias has recently been explored in research on implementation intentions (Gollwitzer, 1993, 1999; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundSelf-citationDoes monitoring goal progress promote goal attainment? A meta-analysis of the experimental evidence.
Harkin, B., Webb, T. L., Chang, B. P. I., Prestwich, A., Conner, M., Kellar, I., Benn, Y., & Sheeran, P. (2016) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/bul0000025 · Cited by 564 · see citing works
“…processes such as goal setting and responding to discrepancies have been the subject of meta-analytic reviews (e.g., De Ridder et al., 2012; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006; Hagger et al., 2010; Locke, Shaw, Saari, & Latham, 1981; McEachan et al., 2011; Ouellette & Wood, 1998; Sheeran, 2002;…”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationThe automatic component of habit in health behavior: Habit as cue-contingent automaticity.
Orbell, S., & Verplanken, B. (2010) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0019596 · Cited by 563 · see citing works
Towards an integrated motivational–volitional model of suicidal behaviour
O'connor, R. C. (2011) · International Handbook of Suicide Prevention · doi:10.1002/9781119998556.ch11 · Cited by 552 · see citing works
French, D., Olander, E. K., Chisholm, A., & McSharry, J. (2014) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12160-014-9593-z · Cited by 531 · see citing works
“Further, the ability to form and implement intentions [72, 73] is a key component of executive control, and those people low in this ability spontaneously produce poorer implementation intentions than those higher in such ability [74, study 1].”
BackgroundGoals, Attention, and (Un)Consciousness
Dijksterhuis, A., & Aarts, H. (2009) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100445 · Cited by 530 · see citing works
“Furthermore, various studies have shown that conscious planning can lead to more successful goal achievement when such plans establish links between representations of relevant actions and cues (Gollwitzer & Sheeran 2006).”
BackgroundSniehotta, F. F., Scholz, U., & Schwarzer, R. (2006) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1348/135910705x43804 · Cited by 511 · see citing works
“To analyse how changes of habitual behaviour patterns can be facilitated, a distinction between a motivational phase and a volitional phase has been proposed (Heckhausen, 1991; Schwarzer, 1992).”
BackgroundPredicting household food waste reduction using an extended theory of planned behaviour
Graham-Rowe, E., Jessop, D. C., & Sparks, P. (2015) · Resources, Conservation and Recycling · doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.05.020 · Cited by 506 · see citing works
Future thought and behaviour change
Oettingen, G. (2012) · European Review of Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/10463283.2011.643698 · Cited by 504 · see citing works
“These associations are then strong enough to instigate automatic action control when the specified situation is encountered (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundUsing implementation intentions prompts to enhance influenza vaccination rates
Milkman, K. L., Beshears, J. L., Choi, J. J., Laibson, D., & Madrian, B. C. (2011) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1103170108 · Cited by 500 · see citing works
Planned, motivated and habitual hygiene behaviour: an eleven country review
Curtis, V. A., Danquah, L. O., & Aunger, R. V. (2009) · Health Education Research · doi:10.1093/her/cyp002 · Cited by 482 · see citing works
“This is known as the ‘Implementation Intentions’ approach and it has shown good results in improving problematic health-related behaviour such as dieting, exercise and smoking cessation on a small scale [44].”
Backgroundvan Gelderen, M., Kautonen, T., & Fink, M. (2015) · Journal of Business Venturing · doi:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2015.01.003 · Cited by 470 · see citing works
“The starting point for the analysis is that forming a strong intention is only a preliminary stage of successful goal attainment, because a host of subsequent implementation issues remain to be resolved (Gollwitzer and Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundNorton, T. A., Zacher, H., Parker, S. L., & Ashkanasy, N. M. (2017) · Journal of Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1002/job.2178 · Cited by 468 · see citing works
Adriaanse, M. A., Vinkers, C. D. W., De Ridder, D. T. D., Hox, J. J., & De Wit, J. B. F. (2011) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2010.10.012 · Cited by 455 · see citing works
“…accumulated evidence has indicated that when goal-intentions are furnished with specific action plans, labeled implementation intentions, the self-regulatory problems such as the ones described above hinder goal-striving to a much lesser extent (for an overview see Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialAutonomous Motivation, Controlled Motivation, and Goal Progress
Koestner, R., Otis, N., Powers, T. A., Pelletier, L. G., & Gagnon, H. (2008) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00519.x · Cited by 461 · see citing works
“A recent meta-analysis of more than 100 studies confirmed that individuals who supplemented their goals with implementation intentions had markedly higher rates of success across diverse goal domains (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundMann, T. L., de Ridder, D. T. D., & Fujita, K. (2013) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0028533 · Cited by 455 · see citing works
Health Behavior Change: Moving from Observation to Intervention
Sheeran, P., Klein, W. M. P., & Rothman, A. J. (2016) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010416-044007 · Cited by 439 · see citing works
Self-citationTowards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self‐regulation
Sniehotta, F. F. (2009) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1348/135910708x389042 · Cited by 437 · see citing works
How to Overcome Health-Compromising Behaviors: The Health Action Process Approach
Schwarzer, R., & Luszczynska, A. (2008) · European Psychologist · doi:10.1027/1016-9040.13.2.141 · Cited by 424 · see citing works
“Meta-analyses have summarized the findings on the effects of implementation intentions on health behaviors (for an overview, see Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundHahn, V. C., Binnewies, C., Sonnentag, S., & Mojza, E. J. (2011) · Journal of Occupational Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0022169 · Cited by 421 · see citing works
A meta-analytic review of the effect of implementation intentions on physical activity
Bélanger-Gravel, A., Godin, G., & Amireault, S. (2013) · Health Psychology Review · doi:10.1080/17437199.2011.560095 · Cited by 413 · see citing works
“In a subsequent and more extensive review by Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006) an overall pooled effect size of 0.59, 95% CI [0.52, 0.67] was reported for health-related behaviours.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialChanging environmentally harmful behaviors: A stage model of self-regulated behavioral change
Bamberg, S. (2013) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.01.002 · Cited by 417 · see citing works
“Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006) assumed that the ability to engage in mental simulation (planning) might be one such factor.”
BackgroundHow do implementation intentions promote goal attainment? A test of component processes
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2007) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2006.02.001 · Cited by 414 · see citing works
Self-citationImpact of the perceived risk from Covid-19 on intention to travel
Cañizares, S. M. S., Cabeza‐Ramírez, L. J., Fernández, G. A. M., & García, F. J. F. (2020) · Current Issues in Tourism · doi:10.1080/13683500.2020.1829571 · Cited by 410 · see citing works
“The analysis is based on one of the most established theoretical frameworks in the analysis of intention (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006), the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1985).”
MethodThe Handbook of Behavior Change
Hagger, M. S., Cameron, L. D., Hamilton, K., Hankonen, N. E., & Lintunen, T. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108677318 · Cited by 420 · see citing works
Do Conscious Thoughts Cause Behavior?
Baumeister, R. F., Masicampo, E. J., & Vohs, K. D. (2010) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.131126 · Cited by 411 · see citing works
“Behavioral consequences in the form of higher displaced aggression (toward a new target who provoked the person again) were shown by Bushman et al. (2005) to result from ruminatingabouttherecentprovocation,asop-posed to distraction or positive mood induction.”
Mosler, H. (2012) · International Journal of Environmental Health Research · doi:10.1080/09603123.2011.650156 · Cited by 405 · see citing works
“…control refers to a strategy where the ongoing behavior is continuously evaluated with regard to a behavioral standard (Schwarzer 2008), and action planning represents thoughts about how to set up the behavior by specifying the when, where, and how of the behavior (Gollwitzer and Sheeran 2006).”
BackgroundInfluentialThe importance of habits in eating behaviour. An overview and recommendations for future research
Riet, J. V., Sijtsema, S. J., Dagevos, H., & De Bruijn, G.-J. (2011) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2011.07.010 · Cited by 399 · see citing works
Behaviour theory and soft transport policy measures
Bamberg, S., Fujii, S., Friman, M., & Gärling, T. (2010) · Transport Policy · doi:10.1016/j.tranpol.2010.08.006 · Cited by 390 · see citing works
“This is not difficult when the actions are well practiced, but new behaviours may need to be more carefully planned (Gollwitzer and Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundUnique effects of setting goals on behavior change: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Epton, T., Currie, S., & Armitage, C. J. (2017) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/ccp0000260 · Cited by 383 · see citing works
Mindset Theory of Action Phases
Gollwitzer, P. M. (2012) · SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781446249215.n26 · Cited by 383 · see citing works
Self-citationUsing behavioral insights to increase vaccination policy effectiveness
Betsch, C., Böhm, R., & Chapman, G. B. (2015) · Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1177/2372732215600716 · Cited by 378 · see citing works
“Implementation intentions (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006) are specific plans about when and how one will carry out an action.”
BackgroundReflective and Automatic Processes in the Initiation and Maintenance of Dietary Change
Rothman, A. J., Sheeran, P., & Wood, W. (2009) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12160-009-9118-3 · Cited by 368 · see citing works
“The upshot of these strong links is that the initiation of the goal-directed response specified in the if–then plan becomes automated (for a review, see [36]).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationAn Integrated Behavior Change Model for Physical Activity
Hagger, M. S., & Chatzisarantis, N. L. D. (2014) · Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews · doi:10.1249/jes.0000000000000008 · Cited by 372 · see citing works
“Action planning can be promoted by prompting the formation of an ‘‘if-then’’ plan in which the individual identifies an event or critical situation salient for them and link it with a physical activity initiation behavior (12,22).”
From Intentions to Behavior: Implementation Intention, Commitment, and Conscientiousness1
Ajzen, I., Czasch, C., & Flood, M. G. (2009) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2009.00485.x · Cited by 367 · see citing works
Poliakoff, E., & Webb, T. L. (2007) · Science Communication · doi:10.1177/1075547007308009 · Cited by 357 · see citing works
“…by inclusion of incentives for behaving or remaining in the program (e.g., Mowen, Middlemist, & Luther, 1981; Bamberg, 2002) and by forming if-then plans that specify when, where, and how to act on positive intentions (Gollwitzer, 1999; Milne, Orbell, & Sheeran, 2002; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundKauffeld, S., & Lehmann‐Willenbrock, N. (2011) · Small Group Research · doi:10.1177/1046496411429599 · Cited by 349 · see citing works
The digital workplace and its dark side: An integrative review
Marsh, E., Vallejos, E. P., & Spence, A. (2022) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2021.107118 · Cited by 348 · see citing works
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2008) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1348/014466607x267010 · Cited by 351 · see citing works
Self-citationHolland, R. W., Aarts, H., & Langendam, D. (2006) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2005.11.006 · Cited by 350 · see citing works
Implementation Intentions and Shielding Goal Striving From Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings
Achtziger, A., Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2008) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167207311201 · Cited by 348 · see citing works
Self-citationJones, A., Lemma, L. C. G. D., Robinson, E., Christiansen, P., Nevitt, S. J., Smith, C. T., & Field, M. (2015) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2015.11.013 · Cited by 332 · see citing works
“…effects of ICT on behaviour were comparable to those produced by other, more well-established psychological interventions including implementation intentions (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006), avoidance training (Wiers et al., 2011) and a brief intervention for problem drinking (Kypri et al., 2009).”
ResultUsing theories of behaviour change to inform interventions for addictive behaviours
Webb, T. L., Sniehotta, F. F., & Michie, S. (2010) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03028.x · Cited by 335 · see citing works
“A recent meta-analysis by Gollwitzer & Sheeran [31] demonstrated the efficacy of implementation intention interventions in promoting goal attainment, with medium-to-large effect sizes reported across a variety of behavioural domains.”
MethodInfluentialWeakness of the will: Is a quick fix possible?
Gollwitzer, P. M. (2014) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-014-9416-3 · Cited by 321 · see citing works
“Empirical data collected in experimental lab and field studies support the assumption that implementation intentions help close the gap between wanting to attain a goal and actually attaining it (review by Gollwitzer and Sheeran 2006).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citationTime perspective, personality and smoking, body mass, and physical activity: An empirical study
Adams, J. M., & Nettle, D. (2008) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1348/135910708x299664 · Cited by 313 · see citing works
Kurz, T., Gardner, B., Verplanken, B., & Abraham, C. (2014) · Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Climate Change · doi:10.1002/wcc.327 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
Body functionality: A review of the literature
Alleva, J. M., & Tylka, T. L. (2020) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.11.006 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
Modelling motivation and habit in stable travel mode contexts
Gardner, B. (2009) · Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.trf.2008.08.001 · Cited by 300 · see citing works
Commitment and Behavior Change
Lokhorst, A. M., Werner, C. M., Staats, H., van Dijk, E., & Gale, J. L. (2011) · Environment and Behavior · doi:10.1177/0013916511411477 · Cited by 296 · see citing works
“A meta-analysis (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006) showed a medium to strong effect size for the relationship between specific goal intentions and actually performing the behavior.”
MethodTransfer of Training: The Known and the Unknown
Ford, J. K., Baldwin, T. T., & Prasad, J. J. (2017) · Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-032117-104443 · Cited by 316 · see citing works
Changing Behavior Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
Ajzen, I., & Schmidt, P. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108677318.002 · Cited by 303 · see citing works
Effortless Self‐Control: A Novel Perspective on Response Conflict Strategies in Trait Self‐Control
Gillebaart, M., & de Ridder, D. T. D. (2015) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12160 · Cited by 290 · see citing works
“More-over, implementation intentions lead to ‘ instant habits ’ and are equally well-suited to break bad habits, like unhealthy snacking habits (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006; Kroese, Adriaanse, Evers, & De Ridder, 2011).”
BackgroundCarraro, N., & Gaudreau, P. (2012) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.10.004 · Cited by 277 · see citing works
Theory of planned behavior and adherence in chronic illness: a meta-analysis
Rich, A., Brandes, K., Mullan, B., & Hagger, M. S. (2015) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10865-015-9644-3 · Cited by 272 · see citing works
“Various strategies have been proposed to narrow the gap, including action planning and self-regulation (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006; Hagger & Luszczynska, 2014; Mullan et al., 2011; Sniehotta, 2009b; Sniehotta et al., 2005).”
BackgroundHabit in Personality and Social Psychology
Wood, W. (2017) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868317720362 · Cited by 276 · see citing works
“Implementation intentions (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006), or if–then plans, identify cues in advance to act on an intention (e.g., After lunch, I’ll eat an apple).”
BackgroundReducing the Expression of Implicit Stereotypes: Reflexive Control Through Implementation Intentions
Mendoza, S. A., Gollwitzer, P. M., & Amodio, D. M. (2010) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167210362789 · Cited by 251 · see citing works
“When the cue is then encountered, the planned response can be implemented reflexively without any further planning or deliberation (Brandstätter, Lengfelder, & Gollwitzer, 2001; Webb & Sheeran, 2007; for a meta-analysis, see Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationBeyond Willpower: Strategies for Reducing Failures of Self-Control
Duckworth, A. L., Milkman, K. L., & Laibson, D. (2018) · Gothic.net · doi:10.1177/1529100618821893 · Cited by 269 · see citing works
“Such if-then implementation intentions have been shown to create mental associations that are automatically enacted and psychologically costly to break (P. M. Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006; Rogers, Milkman, John, & Norton, 2015).”
BackgroundInfluentialSchwarzer, R., Łuszczyńska, A., Ziegelmann, J. P., Scholz, U., & Lippke, S. (2008) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.27.1(suppl.).s54 · Cited by 256 · see citing works
“People do not forget their intentions easily when specified in a when, where, and how manner (for an overview and meta-analysis, see Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006 ).”
BackgroundApplying Insights from Behavioral Economics to Policy Design
Madrian, B. C. (2014) · Annual Review of Economics · doi:10.1146/annurev-economics-080213-041033 · Cited by 257 · see citing works
“…individuals to make a plan increases the frequency of other prompted health behaviors, including tetanus shots (Leventhal et al. 1965), cancer screening (Sheeran & Orbell 2000), healthy eating (Gollwitzer & Sheeran 2006), colonoscopy (Milkman et al. 2013), and mammography (Rutter et al. 2006).”
Determinants of behaviour and their efficacy as targets of behavioural change interventions
Albarracín, D., Farkhad, B. F., & Samayoa, J. A. G. (2024) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-024-00305-0 · Cited by 280 · see citing works
Beyond behavioural intentions: Planning mediates between intentions and physical activity
Scholz, U., Schüz, B., Ziegelmann, J. P., Lippke, S., & Schwarzer, R. (2007) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1348/135910707x216062 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Pragmatic Prospection: How and Why People Think about the Future
Baumeister, R., Vohs, K., & Oettingen, G. (2016) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/gpr0000060 · Cited by 220 · see citing works
“…have found that making such if– then plans to accomplish things on particular occasions led to much better performance than controls—even controls who had the same general goals and values but did not articulate implementation intentions (Gollwitzer, 1999, 2014; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundResultNickerson, D. W., & Rogers, T. (2010) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797609359326 · Cited by 244 · see citing works
Lynch, J. G., Netemeyer, R. G., Spiller, S. A., & Zammit, A. (2009) · Journal of Consumer Research · doi:10.1086/649907 · Cited by 244 · see citing works
“Goal attainment is higher when goal intentions are′′ ′′′a a made concrete by thinking of how, when, and where one will enact one’s goal intentions, as with implementation intentions (Gollwitzer 1999; Gollwitzer and Sheeran 2006).”
BackgroundCausality in the Theory of Planned Behavior
Sussman, R., & Gifford, R. (2018) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167218801363 · Cited by 239 · see citing works
“The mental contrasting with implementation intentions method for encouraging behavior change was based the work of Gollwitzer and colleagues (e.g., Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006) and has been effective for changing behavior in other contexts (e.g., Stadler, Oettingen, & Gollwitzer, 2009; Stadler,…”
MethodBreaking Habits With Implementation Intentions: A Test of Underlying Processes
Adriaanse, M. A., Gollwitzer, P. M., de Ridder, D. T. D., de Wit, J. B. F., & Kroese, F. M. (2011) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167211399102 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
Self-citationKwasnicka, D., Presseau, J., White, M., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2013) · Health Psychology Review · doi:10.1080/17437199.2013.766832 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
“…intentions’ (Prestwich, Ayres, & Lawton, 2008), ‘shielding goal striving from unwanted thoughts and feelings’ (Achtziger, Gollwitzer, & Sheeran, 2008), ‘shielding goals from unwanted responses’ (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006) or descriptively ‘planning how to overcome behaviour change barriers’.”
BackgroundInfluentialLippke, S., & Ziegelmann, J. P. (2008) · Applied Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1464-0597.2008.00339.x · Cited by 238 · see citing works
Self‐Regulation in Health Behavior
(2006) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9780470713150 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
- Authors
- Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P.
- Affiliations
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Venue
- Advances in Experimental Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Published
- 2006
- Pages
- 69-119
- ISSN
- 0065-2601 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1818536883
- Cited by
- 3,236
- References
- 166
- Citations by year
- 2026: 142 · 2025: 150 · 2024: 192 · 2023: 251 · 2022: 178 · 2021: 196 · 2020: 256 · 2019: 177 · 2018: 185 · 2017: 168 · 2016: 189 · 2015: 188 · 2014: 174 · 2013: 161 · 2012: 144
- FWCI
- 243.46
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- nbn-resolving.de
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Advances in experimental social psychology (publishedVersion)
- KOPS (University of Konstanz) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
- Keywords
- implementation intentions, goal achievement, goal pursuit, self-regulation, goal-directed behavior
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