The DOI matches its Crossref record; 152 of the 152 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 47 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.
The Intention–Behavior Gap
Open accessAbstract
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?
Overview
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.
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Claims the paper makes
0 of 47 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“not always do the things that they intend to do”
Load-bearingStrength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIn the paper
“Numerous correlational studies indicate that intentions predict behavior.”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Sheeran (2002)
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIn the paper
“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)”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Sheeran (2002)
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIn the paper
“keeping track of progress (e.g., using a diary) increases the likelihood that intentions are achieved”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Harkin et al., 2016
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesNone of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“do not consistently moderate the intention-behavior relationship”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Armitage & Conner, 2001
- Not checked yetcites Sheeran, 2002
Load-bearingStrength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesThe paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Experience with a behavior, or how often a person has performed the relevant behavior in the past, appears to have paradoxical effects on intention-behavior relations.”
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIn the paper
“changing intentions does not guarantee behavior change”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Fife-Schaw, Sheeran, & Norman, 2007
Load-bearingStrength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesThe paper states this without a source or data behind it here, so there is nothing to check it against. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Even if people do remember their intention, good opportunities to act may be missed.”
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesNone of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Intentions based more on feelings about performing the behavior (affective attitudes) than on thoughts about the likely consequences of acting (cognitive attitudes) are also associated with improved prediction of behavior”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Conner et al., 2016
- Not checked yetcites Keer et al., Conner, Putte, & Neijens, 2014
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIn the paper
“optimistic goal setting can constitute a self-control strategy that helps people to deal with obstacles during goal pursuit”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Zhang and Fishbach (2010)
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedCausal:direct· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passes
- It may state two separate claims as one. 13
- Probably not a substantial claim. 3
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Goal pursuit can also be derailed by competing goals, bad habits, and disruptive thoughts and feelings.”
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Forgetting to act is commonplace and has been implicated in failures to take medication as planned”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites O'Carroll et al., 2014
- Not checked yetcites Zogg et al., 2012
- Not checked yetcites Corradi et al., 2013
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“greater feelings of moral obligation and anticipated regret about failing to act increase the likelihood that intentions are enacted”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Abraham & Sheeran, 2004
- Not checked yetcites Conner et al., 2006
- Not checked yetcites Godin, Conner, & Sheeran, 2005
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“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.”
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“these processes alone do not guarantee intention realization”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006, 2009
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Set goals often are over-optimistic which can reduce the likelihood that they are achieved.”
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedCausal:direct· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“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”
Load-bearingStrength:hedged· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The third key problem that people may encounter when striving to achieve their intentions is failing to bring goal pursuit to a successful close.”
Strength:hedged· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✗ Load-bearing: fails✗ Based: failsProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“If-then plans, interventions that prompt progress monitoring, and more recent training approaches should each prove helpful in accomplishing these tasks.”
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The various problems that create a gap between intentions and behavior are neither inevitable nor irresolvable, however.”
Load-bearingStrength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✗ Based: failsProbably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The intention-behavior gap is large -current evidence suggests that intentions get translated into action approximately one-half of the time.”
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes? Based: unclearIt may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Forming implementation intentions has also been shown to help to overcome a variety of unwanted influences including distractions”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Wieber et al., 2015
- Not checked yetcites Armitage & Arden, 2012
- Not checked yetcites Adriaanse et al., 2011
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Forming if-then plans is a highly effective means of accomplishing self-regulatory tasks and reducing the intention-behavior gap.”
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“three tasks must be accomplished to secure intention realization -people need to initiate, maintain, and close goal pursuit”
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
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 source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“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]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe check wasn’t confident either way, so it gives no verdict — never disputed.
In the citing paper
“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]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn the citing paper
“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]
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“The intention behaviour-gap may also help to explain why people do not engage in physical activity [17].”
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“However, some caution is advised when using these insights, since there may be a discrepancy between intentions and actual behaviour (Sheeran and Webb 2016), whereby social media sentiment which may be considered to reflect intent may differ from eventual behaviour offline (Smith et al. 2020;…”
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“First, adopting a time-lagged study design, we explored a way to potentially bridge the gap between intention and behavior (Orbell & Sheeran, 1998; Sheeran, 2002; Sheeran & Webb, 2016).”
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“First, in the light of the existing gap between choice tasks regarding a certain behavior and its actual performance [50], the lack of measurement of the actual behavior is the most important limitation of the present study.”
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“What people report that they will do is nevertheless a valuable predictor of behaviour (Sheeran and Webb, 2016).”
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“Such discrepancy is called the intention–behavior gap (Faries, 2016; Sheeran & Webb, 2016).”
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“Students who then go on to watch the entire video (at least according to log data) are those that have arguably bridged the intention-behaviour gap (Sheeran & Webb, 2016) to engage with the video resources more fully.”
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“This is referred to as the intention-behavior gap [76].”
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“Finally, there are many exogenous factors other than behavioral intentions that could influence coach behavior (Sheeran & Webb, 2016) and situating the cognitions assessed herein within a larger ecological model could help identify areas for intervention to support coach action.”
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Stern, M., & Hertel, S. (2022) · Learning and Instruction · doi:10.1016/j.learninstruc.2022.101631 · Cited by 20
More, K. R., & Phillips, L. A. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.940777 · Cited by 27
“However, the intention-behavior gap is a well-observed phenomenon (Sheeran and Webb, 2016), both automatic and reflective constructs have been shown to influence behavioral engagement (Rebar et al., 2016), and predictors of behavior have been shown to differ between initiators and maintainers…”
BackgroundInfluentialCyber expert feedback: Experiences, expectations, and opinions about cyber deception
Ferguson-Walter, K. J., Major, M., Johnson, C. K., Johnson, C. J., Scott, D. D., Gutzwiller, R. S., & Shade, T. (2023) · Computers & Security · doi:10.1016/j.cose.2023.103268 · Cited by 20
Pennisi, F., Ricciardi, G. E., von Wagner, C., Smith, L., Kaushal, A., Lyratzopoulos, G., Merriel, S. W., Hamilton, W. T., Abel, G., Valderas, J. M., et al. (2024) · Cancer Medicine · doi:10.1002/cam4.70426 · Cited by 20
“Vignettes primarily assess intended rather than actual behavior, although forming intentions is an important step toward action [42, 43].”
Uri Gneezy, B., Kajackaite, A., & Meier, S. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108677318.036 · Cited by 20
Understanding the Role of Standards in the Negotiation of a Healthy Built Environment
Callway, R., Pineo, H., & Moore, G. (2020) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su12239884 · Cited by 20
“Although Sheeran and Webb (2016) focus on understanding the ties between intentionality and responses at the level of individual behaviour, they make recommendations of potential relevance to organisations.”
BackgroundInfluentialSchulz, P., Nicolai, S., Tomczyk, S., Schmidt, S., Franikowski, P., & Stoll‐Kleemann, S. (2024) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su16072816 · Cited by 23
Who wants to use transport super apps? Insights from combined PLS-SEM and NCA methods
Hasselwander, M. (2025) · Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.trf.2025.04.018 · Cited by 19
Experimental evidence on consumers’ willingness to pay in the sustainable fashion industry
Cascavilla, A., Caferra, R., Morone, A., & Morone, P. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-23008-9 · Cited by 25
“However, evidence consistently shows that consumption intentions do not always translate into actual behavior, leading to the well-known “intention–behavior gap” 26–28 .”
Pfeffer, I., & Strobach, T. (2020) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12529-020-09864-x · Cited by 23
Henriksen, A., Sand, A.-S., Deraas, T., Grimsgaard, S., Hartvigsen, G., & Hopstock, L. A. (2020) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09406-w · Cited by 19
Mayer, P. B., Zou, Y., Schaub, F., & Aviv, A. J. (2021) · Repository KITopen (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) · doi:10.5445/ir/1000132793 · Cited by 19
Bornschlegl, M., Townshend, K., & Caltabiano, N. J. (2021) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2021.738790 · Cited by 31
“Challenges to enact an intention can include forgetting the intention or missing an opportunity (Sheeran and Webb, 2016).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialStories of intentional action mobilise climate policy support and action intentions
Sabherwal, A. C., & Shreedhar, G. (2022) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-021-04392-4 · Cited by 17
Too Old to Plan? Age Identity and Financial Planning Among the Older Population of China
Ye, Z., Zou, X., Post, T., Mo, W., & Yang, Q. (2021) · China Economic Review · doi:10.1016/j.chieco.2022.101770 · Cited by 19
Grüning, D. J., & Lechner, C. M. (2022) · Journal of Personality Assessment · doi:10.1080/00223891.2022.2057318 · Cited by 19
“Considering the intention-behavior gap (see e.g., Sheeran & Webb, 2016) a comprehensive account of a psychological constructs needs validation through behavioral measures.”
BackgroundMarshall, S. M., Moore, A., Fleming, A., & Sahm, L. J. (2022) · Vaccines · doi:10.3390/vaccines10040562 · Cited by 20
“While this was a positive finding, it must be acknowledged that intention alone does not necessarily predict future vaccine uptake, as per reference [43] a disparity known as the intention–behaviour gap [44].”
Backgroundvan den Heuvel, L., Blicharska, M., Stensland, S., & Rönnbäck, P. (2022) · Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism · doi:10.1016/j.jort.2022.100549 · Cited by 19
“However, the transition from intentions to behavior is rarely seamless, meaning that intentions do not automatically lead to changes in behavior (Sheeran & Webb, 2016).”
Predicting the intention to use herbal medicines for anxiety symptoms: a model of health behaviour
McIntyre, E., Saliba, A. J., Wiener, K. K. K., & Bishop, F. L. (2017) · Journal of Mental Health · doi:10.1080/09638237.2017.1417553 · Cited by 19
“Intention is the construct that most effectively predicts behaviour; however, it is estimated that intention results in performing the behaviour only 50% of the time (Sheeran & Webb, 2016).”
BackgroundImplementation Intentions to Reduce Smoking: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Hagerman, C. J., Hoffman, R. K., Vaylay, S., & Dodge, T. L. (2020) · Nicotine & Tobacco Research · doi:10.1093/ntr/ntaa235 · Cited by 18
Mullan, B. A., Liddelow, C., Charlesworth, J., Slabbert, A., Allom, V., Harris, C. J., Same, A., & Kothe, E. J. (2021) · The Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/00224545.2020.1845113 · Cited by 19
“The gap between intentions and the execution of behavior has been termed the “intention-behavior gap” (Sheeran, 2002; Sheeran & Webb, 2016; Sniehotta et al., 2005), and has also been observed among a variety of behaviors outside the context of volunteering, such as exercise engagement (Rhodes &…”
BackgroundLentferink, A., Noordzij, M. L., Burgler, A., Klaassen, R., Derks, Y. P. M. J., Oldenhuis, H. K. E., Velthuijsen, H., & van Gemert‐Pijnen, J. E. W. C. (2021) · Behaviour and Information Technology · doi:10.1080/0144929x.2021.1876764 · Cited by 21
“This indicates a gap between a perceived high state of receptivity and actually following-up the JIT-message and could be compared to the traditional gap between intention and real behaviour change (Sheeran and Webb 2016).”
ResultGlobal Mindset Initiative Paper 3: Measuring Growth Mindset Classroom CulturesPreprint
Trzesniewski, K. H., Yeager, D. S., Molina, D. C., Claro, S., Oberle, C., & Murphy, M. C. (2021) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.3911591 · Cited by 20
Berman, C. J., West, T. N., Zhou, J., Tan, K., Prinzing, M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2024) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116671 · Cited by 18
Gugenishvili, I., & Laine‐Kronberg, A. (2025) · Sustainable Development · doi:10.1002/sd.3335 · Cited by 18
Urban, J., Vačkář, D., & Baďura, T. (2021) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101658 · Cited by 18
Jarreau, P., Su, L. Y.-F., Chiang, E. C.-L., Bennett, S. M., Zhang, J. S., Ferguson, M., & Algarra, D. (2021) · Frontiers in Communication · doi:10.3389/fcomm.2021.712658 · Cited by 18
“Self-reported behavioral intentions also do not fully predict behaviors (Sheeran and Webb, 2016).”
BackgroundPredicting Physical Activity Behavior by Automatic and Reflective Self-Regulatory Processes
Pfeffer, I., & Strobach, T. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.714608 · Cited by 21
“This intention–behavior gap (Rhodes and de Bruijn, 2013; Sheeran and Webb, 2016) can be overcome by self-regulation, i.e., by controlling one’s behavior, emotions, and thoughts in the pursuit of long-term goals and to overcome, e.g., potential barriers (e.g., bad weather, negative affective…”
BackgroundIntergenerational contact, aging anxiety and behavioral intentions toward older adults
Wise, R., & Uzel, A. (2021) · Educational Gerontology · doi:10.1080/03601277.2021.2002599 · Cited by 18
“Although there are many situations in which intention and behavior do not match (Sheeran & Webb, 2016), intentions are conceptualized as one of the strongest predictors of behavior.”
BackgroundPositive affect predicts engagement in healthy behaviors within a day, but not across days
Aurora, P., Disabato, D. J., & Coifman, K. G. (2022) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-021-09924-z · Cited by 21
Eylering, A., Büscher, M., Funk, M., Boldt, J., & Fiebelkorn, F. (2022) · Global Ecology and Conservation · doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02176 · Cited by 18
Behavior Change Training for Health Professionals: Evaluation of a 2-Hour Workshop
Mullan, B. A., Liddelow, C., Haywood, D., & Breare, H. (2022) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/42010 · Cited by 18
“However, it is also important to note that the body of literature points toward an intention-behavior gap, as intention often only accounts for a limited amount of variance in behavior [33,34].”
BackgroundKothe, E. J., Ling, M., Mullan, B. A., Rhee, J. J.-S., & Klas, A. (2023) · Climatic Change · doi:10.1007/s10584-023-03489-1 · Cited by 20
“Further, intentions to engage in adaptive behaviour have been 1 3 found in past work to closely align with real-world behavioural changes across a wide range of contexts (Sheeran & Webb, 2016).”
BackgroundPrömpeler, J., Veltrop, D. B., Stoker, J. I., & Rink, F. A. (2023) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.3408 · Cited by 18
Chard, E., Bergstad, C. J., Steentjes, K., Poortinga, W., & Demski, C. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1355969 · Cited by 18
“However, it is important to distinguish between intentions and behaviors given the well-established intention-behavior gap, and acknowledge that overall only around half of intentions translate into future behaviors (Sheeran and Webb, 2016).”
BackgroundMeisel, S. F., Fraser, L., Side, L., Gessler, S., Hann, K. E. J., Wardle, J., & Lanceley, A. (2017) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017675 · Cited by 17
Yee, T., Ceballos, P. L., & Lawless, A. (2020) · Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development · doi:10.1002/jmcd.12162 · Cited by 20
Vilpert, S., Borrat-Besson, C., Borasio, G. D., & Maurer, J. (2020) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0232109 · Cited by 18
“While we know that stated intentions do often, but not always, predict behaviours [79], potential discrepancies between intentions and behaviours may be more frequent in assessments of potential future behaviours in hypothetical situations that are not completely specified (“certain circumstances”).”
BackgroundRuiter, R. A. C., Crutzen, R., de Leeuw, E., & Kok, G. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108677318.018 · Cited by 20
Results From the 2019 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Adults
Macridis, S., Cameron, C., Chaput, J., Chulak-Bozzer, T., Clark, P. C., Davenport, M. H., Faulkner, G., Fowles, J. R., Lévesque, L., Porter, M. M., et al. (2020) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.2019-0646 · Cited by 19
Setting Realistic Health Goals: Antecedents and Consequences
Avishai, A., Conner, M. T., & Sheeran, P. (2019) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1093/abm/kaz012 · Cited by 18
Self-citationFattening Pig Farmers’ Intention to Participate in Animal Welfare Programs
Schukat, S., Kuhlmann, A., & Heise, H. (2019) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani9121042 · Cited by 18
“There is also the possibility that not all farmers who indicate a willingness to participate would actually participate (attitude/behavior gap) [60].”
BackgroundThe use of mechanistic reasoning in assessing coronavirus interventions
Aronson, J. K., Auker‐Howlett, D., Ghiara, V., Kelly, M. P., & Williamson, J. (2020) · Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1111/jep.13438 · Cited by 18
Aulbach, M. B., van Alebeek, H., Jones, C. M., & Blechert, J. (2024) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjhp.12714 · Cited by 20
Expressing intentions is not climate action
Dablander, F., Lange, F., Brick, C. A., & Aron, A. R. (2025) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2512457122 · Cited by 17
Cascavilla, A., D’Adamo, I., Desideri, S., & Iannilli, M. (2025) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.70338 · Cited by 23
The Runner's Journey: Identifying Design Opportunities for Running Motivation Technology
Menheere, D., Lallemand, C., van der Spek, E. D., Megens, C., Moere, A. V., Funk, M., & Vos, S. B. (2020) · Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1145/3419249.3420151 · Cited by 17
“How people experience and cope with these barriers and facilitators, external or internal, influence the extent to which one successfully turns positive intentions into exercise behavior [36, 46] and potentially overcomes this ‘intention-behavior gap’ [55].”
BackgroundMullan, B. A., Olivier, C., & Thøgersen‐Ntoumani, C. (2021) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjhp.12522 · Cited by 17
“Sheeran and Webb (2016) proposed that intentions differ not only in terms of strength or valence, but also in terms of other qualities (e.g., stability, quality of behavioural motivation); self-determination theory suggests participants’ autonomous reasons for acting is a key component of intention…”
BackgroundHallam, B., Rees, J., Petersen, I., Cooper, C., Avgerinou, C., & Walters, K. R. (2021) · Family Practice · doi:10.1093/fampra/cmab014 · Cited by 17
Jones, C. M., & Schüz, B. (2021) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10865-021-00248-4 · Cited by 16
Riedinger, C., Campbell, J. A., Klein, W. M. P., Ferrer, R. A., & Usher‐Smith, J. A. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0262197 · Cited by 17
“Whilst the cognitive processes involved in forming intentions after encounter of a threat to health are relatively well understood [38, 39], evidence suggests that intention is not necessarily linked with health behaviour change [40].”
BackgroundDörge, L., Büscher, M., Drews, J., Eylering, A., & Fiebelkorn, F. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.773913 · Cited by 20
IT Use and Job Outcomes: A Longitudinal Field Study of Technology Contingencies
Venkatesh, V., Tech, V., Speier, C., Aljafari, R., Tech, V., & Bala, H. (2022) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems · doi:10.17705/1jais.00760 · Cited by 17
Apakah Literasi Mempengaruhi Penerimaan Zakat?
Canggih, C., & Indrarini, R. (2021) · JESI (Jurnal Ekonomi Syariah Indonesia) · doi:10.21927/jesi.2021.11(1).1-11 · Cited by 17
“Gap antara intensi dan perilaku besar, menurut (Sheeran & Webb, 2016) probabilitas sebagai niat diterjemahkan menjadi tindakan adalah setengah.”
BackgroundWannewitz, M., Petzold, J., & Garschagen, M. (2023) · Frontiers in Climate · doi:10.3389/fclim.2023.1213852 · Cited by 19
Li, Y., Zhuang, T., Qian, Q. K., Mlecnik, E., & Visscher, H. J. (2024) · Cities · doi:10.1016/j.cities.2024.104788 · Cited by 17
Porter, C. D., KWAN, M. Y. W., Meca, A., & Brown, D. M. Y. (2024) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102641 · Cited by 17
Metadata
- Authors
- Sheeran, P., & Webb, T. L.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Sheeran, Paschal
- Venue
- Social and Personality Psychology Compass
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-09
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 503-518
- ISSN
- 1751-9004 (ISSN-L)
- 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
- green
- doi.org
- 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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