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Cited by 415Behavioral Health and InterventionsCognitive Functions and MemoryFree Will and Agency

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Metacognition in Action: The Importance of Implementation Intentions

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Gollwitzer, Peter M., Schaal, Bernd·1998·Personality and Social Psychology Review
DOI 10.1207/s15327957pspr0202_5
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Abstract

When people furnish their goal intentions (“I intend to attain the goal x!”) with implementation intentions (“I will initiate the goal-directed response y when situation z arises!”), the initiation of goal-directed responses becomes automatized. As this type of automaticity stems from a single act of will, it is referred to as strategic automaticity. We report various studies demonstrating that strategic automaticity leads to immediate and efficient responding, which does not need a conscious intent. In addition, the situational cues specified in implementation intentions seem to be easily detected and readily attended to. Further research indicates that the strategic automaticity induced by implementation intentions also helps resist temptations and fight bad habits. Following Nelson's (1996; Nelson & Narens, 1994) model of metacognition, we suggest that goal intentions and, in particular, implementation intentions are important components of the metacognitive control of action geared toward its initiation, continuation, and termination.

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  • Using implementation intentions strategically likely requires more advanced cognitive skills: monitoring one's own behaviour, identifying the best strategy for a given goal and context and translating that insight into a well-formed if-then plan.

    “While even very young children may benefit from following implementation intentions, using them strategically likely requires more advanced cognitive skills: monitoring one's own behaviour, identifying the best strategy for a given goal and context and translating that insight into a well‐formed if‐then plan (Gollwitzer & Schaal, 1998).”

    From The effectiveness of implementation intentions in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis (2026) · cites this paper as Gollwitzer & Schaal, 1998

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Metadata

Authors
Gollwitzer, P. M., & Schaal, B.
Affiliations
University of Konstanz (DE)
ORCID
Gollwitzer, Peter M.
Venue
Personality and Social Psychology Review
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
1998-05
Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
124-136
ISSN
  • 1088-8683 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7957
DOI
10.1207/s15327957pspr0202_5
OpenAlex
W2165857496
Cited by
415
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 18
FWCI
13.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Personality and Social Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KOPS (University of Konstanz) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Free Will and Agency
Keywords
implementation intentions, metacognition, goal-directed behavior, metacognitive regulation, goal intentions, situational cues, resistance to temptation, habit formation, action initiation

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