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Cited by 2,185Behavioral Health and InterventionsDecision-Making and Behavioral EconomicsGrit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation

The Intention–Behavior Gap

Open access
Sheeran, Paschal, Webb, Thomas L.·2016·Social and Personality Psychology Compass
DOI 10.1111/spc3.12265
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Abstract

Bitter personal experience and meta‐analysis converge on the conclusion that people do not always do the things that they intend to do. This paper synthesizes research on intention–behavior relations to address questions such as: How big is the intention–behavior gap? When are intentions more or less likely to get translated into action? What kinds of problems prevent people from realizing their intentions? And what strategies show promise in closing the intention–behavior gap and helping people do the things that they intend to do?

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review synthesizes evidence on the intention–behavior gap, concluding that intentions are translated into action approximately one-half of the time and that “inclined abstainers” mainly drive the gap. It identifies intention qualities, self-regulatory problems across goal pursuit, and tools such as if-then plans and progress monitoring that can help close the gap.

Key findings

  • Meta-analytic evidence shows intentions predict behavior with a large sample-weighted average correlation (*r*+ = 0.53; Sheeran, 2002, 422 studies), but experimentally changing intentions produces only a small-to-medium change in behavior (*d*+ = .36; Webb & Sheeran, 2006); the gap is mainly due to people who intend to act but do not (“inclined abstainers”).
  • Intention realization depends on goal dimensions, the basis of intention, and intention properties; intention stability is described as the best indicator of whether an intention will be realized, and stable intentions moderated intention–behavior consistency even across measures taken 6 years apart (Conner, Norman, & Bell, 2002).
  • Self-regulatory problems occur in initiating, maintaining, and closing goal pursuit; for example, after a delay of just 5 seconds, 8% of young, healthy participants forgot to enact an intended behavior, rising to 24% when attention was divided (Einstein et al., 2003).
  • If-then plans improved goal attainment and behavioral performance compared with merely forming intentions (*d*+ = 0.65; 94 studies; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006), and progress-monitoring interventions produced a large increase in monitoring frequency (*d*+ = 1.98) that led to a small-to-medium behavior change (*d*+ = .40; 138 interventions; Harkin et al., 2016).

Methods

  • Design: narrative review/synthesis of research on intention–behavior relations, not a primary empirical study.
  • Data or sample: synthesizes prior correlational studies, experiments, meta-analyses, and statistical simulations; no original sample or dataset is reported.
  • Main analysis: organizes evidence around (a) qualities of intention, (b) self-regulatory problems and tasks in realizing intentions across initiation, maintenance, and closure, and (c) tools for intention realization.

Limitations

  • The paper states that research on goal dimensions has not yet been integrated with research on the basis of intention or studies of intention properties, and that formal tests of moderation of the intention–behavior relation remain to be undertaken for many interventions.
  • The paper notes debate about the magnitude and interpretation of the ego-depletion effect and more cautious assessments of some self-control, glucose, and training approaches.
  • Evident from the text: as a narrative review, it does not report systematic search or selection criteria or a formal meta-analysis, so its conclusions rest on the cited literature.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/spc3.12265

Cites

152 of 152 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 47 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Interpretationnone given
    § Takedown · p. 2

    People do not always do the things that they intend to do.

    “not always do the things that they intend to do”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation
    § The Intention-Behavior Gap · p. 3

    Intentions predict behavior in correlational studies.

    “Numerous correlational studies indicate that intentions predict behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sheeran (2002)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § The Intention-Behavior Gap · p. 3

    The sample-weighted average correlation between intentions measured at one time-point and behavior measured at a subsequent time-point is large (r+ = 0.53).

    “found a 'large' sample-weighted average correlation between intentions measured at one time-point and measures of behavior taken at a subsequent time-point ( r+ = 0.53)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sheeran (2002)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § The T asks of R ealizing I ntentions and Go als (TRIALS): Negotiating the Paving on the Road to Hell · p. 11

    Keeping track of progress (e.g., using a diary) increases the likelihood that intentions are achieved.

    “keeping track of progress (e.g., using a diary) increases the likelihood that intentions are achieved”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Harkin et al., 2016

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation
    § Qualities of Intention: Not All Intentions Take the Road to Hell · p. 6

    People's beliefs about the extent to which they have control over behavioral performance (self-efficacy and perceived behavioral control) do not consistently moderate the intention-behavior relationship.

    “do not consistently moderate the intention-behavior relationship”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Armitage & Conner, 2001

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Sheeran, 2002

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims. 13
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 3

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § The T asks of R ealizing I ntentions and Go als (TRIALS): Negotiating the Paving on the Road to Hell · p. 11

    Goal pursuit can be derailed by competing goals, bad habits, and disruptive thoughts and feelings.

    “Goal pursuit can also be derailed by competing goals, bad habits, and disruptive thoughts and feelings.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § The T asks of R ealizing I ntentions and Go als (TRIALS): Negotiating the Paving on the Road to Hell · p. 10

    Forgetting to act is commonplace and has been implicated in failures to take medication as planned and failure to perform intended energy-saving behaviors.

    “Forgetting to act is commonplace and has been implicated in failures to take medication as planned”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites O'Carroll et al., 2014

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Zogg et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Corradi et al., 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Qualities of Intention: Not All Intentions Take the Road to Hell · p. 6

    Greater feelings of moral obligation and anticipated regret about failing to act increase the likelihood that intentions are enacted.

    “greater feelings of moral obligation and anticipated regret about failing to act increase the likelihood that intentions are enacted”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Abraham & Sheeran, 2004

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Conner et al., 2006

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Godin, Conner, & Sheeran, 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § Qualities of Intention: Not All Intentions Take the Road to Hell · p. 5

    The nature of the focal goal, the basis of intention, and properties of intention each influence the quality of the respective intention and its likelihood of enactment.

    “The nature of the focal goal, the basis of intention, and properties of intention each influence the quality of the respective intention and its likelihood of enactment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § The T asks of R ealizing I ntentions and Go als (TRIALS): Negotiating the Paving on the Road to Hell · p. 9

    Forming intentions instigates psychological processes that support realization, but these processes alone do not guarantee intention realization.

    “these processes alone do not guarantee intention realization”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006, 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Qualities of Intention: Not All Intentions Take the Road to Hell · p. 5

    Set goals often are over-optimistic, which can reduce the likelihood that they are achieved.

    “Set goals often are over-optimistic which can reduce the likelihood that they are achieved.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § The T asks of R ealizing I ntentions and Go als (TRIALS): Negotiating the Paving on the Road to Hell · p. 9

    Self-regulatory problems may be encountered during different phases of goal pursuit, including getting started, keeping ongoing goal pursuit on track, and bringing goal pursuit to a successful close.

    “Self-regulatory problems may be encountered during different phases of goal pursuit, and include problems (a) getting started, (b) keeping ongoing goal pursuit on track, and (c) bringing goal pursuit to a successful close”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § The T asks of R ealizing I ntentions and Go als (TRIALS): Negotiating the Paving on the Road to Hell · p. 12

    The third key problem people may encounter when striving to achieve their intentions is failing to bring goal pursuit to a successful close.

    “The third key problem that people may encounter when striving to achieve their intentions is failing to bring goal pursuit to a successful close.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Conclusion · p. 17

    If-then plans, interventions that prompt progress monitoring, and more recent training approaches should each prove helpful in accomplishing the tasks needed to secure intention realization.

    “If-then plans, interventions that prompt progress monitoring, and more recent training approaches should each prove helpful in accomplishing these tasks.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Tools for Intention Realization : Repaving the 'Road to Hell' · p. 13

    The various problems that create a gap between intentions and behavior are neither inevitable nor irresolvable.

    “The various problems that create a gap between intentions and behavior are neither inevitable nor irresolvable, however.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Conclusion · p. 17

    The intention-behavior gap is large; current evidence suggests that intentions get translated into action approximately one-half of the time.

    “The intention-behavior gap is large -current evidence suggests that intentions get translated into action approximately one-half of the time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Tools for Intention Realization : Repaving the 'Road to Hell' · p. 15

    Forming implementation intentions helps overcome a variety of unwanted influences including distractions, temptations, unwelcome social influence, habits, and emotions.

    “Forming implementation intentions has also been shown to help to overcome a variety of unwanted influences including distractions”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Wieber et al., 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Armitage & Arden, 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Adriaanse et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § Tools for Intention Realization : Repaving the 'Road to Hell' · p. 14

    Forming if-then plans is a highly effective means of accomplishing self-regulatory tasks and reducing the intention-behavior gap.

    “Forming if-then plans is a highly effective means of accomplishing self-regulatory tasks and reducing the intention-behavior gap.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Conclusion · p. 17

    Three tasks must be accomplished to secure intention realization: people need to initiate, maintain, and close goal pursuit.

    “three tasks must be accomplished to secure intention realization -people need to initiate, maintain, and close goal pursuit”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
14 of 14

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • The intention to use a treatment target or delivery mode does not fully translate to actual utilization behavior (intention-behavior gap).

    “First, the intention to use a treatment target or delivery mode does not fully translate to actual utilization behavior, i.e., the intention-behavior gap (60).”

    From Mental health services for German university students: acceptance of intervention targets and preference for delivery modes (2024) · cites this paper as [60]

    The section “The Intention-Behavior Gap: The Proverbial ‘Road to Hell’ is Well Paved” (p. 4) says that changing intentions does not guarantee behavior change. The paper supports the general intention–behavior gap, but does not establish it specifically for utilization of a treatment target or delivery mode. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Canadian students with high self-reported symptoms use more health care services.

    “first, Canadian students with high self-reported symptoms use more health care services (60).”

    From Mental health services for German university students: acceptance of intervention targets and preference for delivery modes (2024) · cites this paper as [60]

    The retrieved passages from the References (pp. 31, 35–36) concern self-regulation and health behaviors, not health care service use among Canadian students. Searches for Canadian students, self-reported symptoms, and health care utilization found no passage in our copy addressing the claimed association. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • There is a widely recognized intention-behavior gap, where positive intentions are not always antecedent for actual behavior.

    “Additionally, there is a widely recognized intention–behavior gap, where positive intentions are not always antecedent for actual behavior [91].”

    From Explaining adults’ mental health help-seeking through the lens of the theory of planned behavior: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [91]

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. 10.1080/02699930244000291 · DOI
  2. Fujita K., 2012, Goal‐directed Behavior, 85
  3. Grant H., 2009, The Psychology of Goals, 77
  4. 10.1111/j.2044-8309.1993.tb00997.xfa · DOI
  5. Liberman N., 2009, The Psychology of Goals, 277
  6. Moskowitz G. B., 2009, The Psychology of Goals
  7. Sheeran P., Health behaviour change: Moving from observation to intervention, Annual Review of Psychology
  8. 10.1080/10463283.2012.718134 · DOI · Paper page

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Sheeran, P., & Webb, T. L.
Affiliations
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
Corresponding author
Sheeran, Paschal
ORCID
Venue
Social and Personality Psychology Compass
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-09
Volume
10
Issue
9
Pages
503-518
ISSN
1751-9004 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1111/spc3.12265
OpenAlex
W2519766541
Semantic Scholar
19675f19058b8fe0f0bdc7d17037de0e5e84da42
Cited by
2,185
References
151
Citations by year
2026: 432 · 2025: 333 · 2024: 294 · 2023: 270 · 2022: 253 · 2021: 237 · 2020: 212 · 2019: 88 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 3
FWCI
79.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 4 d)
Locations
  • Social and Personality Psychology Compass (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) (submittedVersion)
  • UNC Libraries
Funders
  • John Templeton Foundation (#23145)
  • European Research Council (ERC‐2011‐StG‐280515)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation
Keywords
intention-behavior gap, behavioral intention, implementation intentions, goal achievement, self-regulation

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