Mechanisms of implementation intention effects: The role of goal intentions, self‐efficacy, and accessibility of plan components
Abstract
Although considerable evidence suggests that forming an implementation intention increases rates of goal attainment, less research has examined the mechanisms that underlie these effects. The present research investigated the role of deliberative processes and accessibility of plan components as explanation for the relationship between implementation intentions and goal achievement. Study 1 used meta‐analysis to quantify the effects of implementation intentions on goal intentions and self‐efficacy. The results of 66 tests suggested that forming implementation intentions had negligible effects on both variables. Study 2 focused on the accessibility of plan components and found that the effect of implementation intentions on goal achievement was mediated simultaneously by the accessibility of specified situational cues and by the strength of the association forged between these cues and the intended response. These findings suggest that implementation intention effects are not explained by increased deliberation, but rather accrue from heightened accessibility of specified opportunities and strong opportunity‐response links.
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According to Implementation Intention Theory, the effectiveness of implementation intentions depends on the strength of the association between the if and then components of the plan as well as the plan's accessibility.
“According to Implementation Intention Theory, the effectiveness of implementation intentions depends on the strength of the association between the ‘if’ and ‘then’ components of the plan as well as the plan's accessibility (Achtziger & Gollwitzer, 2018; Webb & Sheeran, 2008).”
From The effectiveness of implementation intentions in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis (2026) · cites this paper as Webb & Sheeran, 2008
Implementation intention theory emphasizes the importance of forming a strong mental representation of the plan in memory and keeping it accessible.
“implementation intention theory emphasizes the importance of forming a strong mental representation of the plan in memory and keeping it accessible (Achtziger & Gollwitzer, 2018; Webb & Sheeran, 2008).”
From The effectiveness of implementation intentions in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis (2026) · cites this paper as Webb & Sheeran, 2008
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- Authors
- Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P.
- Affiliations
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Webb, Thomas L.
- ORCID
- Webb, Thomas L.
- Venue
- British Journal of Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-09
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 373-395
- ISSN
- 0144-6665 (ISSN-L)
- 2044-8309
- OpenAlex
- W1973708246
- Cited by
- 351
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 24
- FWCI
- 25.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (submittedVersion)
- 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 intentions, self-efficacy, situational cues, deliberation
- MeSH terms
- Achievement, Cues, Goals, Humans, Self Efficacy, Intention
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