To slack off or not to slack off? Regulatory focus moderates paradoxical effects of feedback

Abstract

Background: A positive feedback validating one’s past behaviour could lead to a paradoxical relaxation of efforts in a variety of domains. Goal-completeness theory can explain such effects, the positive feedback leading to a feeling of goal-completeness and thus to a reduction of further efforts. We hypothesize that the individual’s motivational system determines whether the feedback would lead to this feeling of goal-completeness, because the individual focuses on a different goal, namely a minimal versus maximal goal. People regulated towards prevention (promotion) would set a minimal (maximal) goal for themselves, causing the positive feedback to translate into a feeling of goal-completeness (or not) and to a relaxation (consistency) of further behaviour. Methods: We propose two experimental studies, in which the regulatory focus will be once measured and once manipulated. In both studies, participants will receive a positive versus negative feedback about their health habits (Study1: sport practice; Study2: healthy diet). Dependent variables will include intention to engage in healthier conducts and actual behaviour assessed during one week. Expected results: We expect a focus by feedback interaction, so that intention and behaviour decrease in the prevention condition when the feedback is positive, as compared to the promotion condition. Current stage of work: We are currently preparing the studies’ material. We are likely to have collected and analysed data by the time of the conference. Discussion: Given the growing tendency to rely on providing feedback (e.g. activity trackers), we could contribute to a better conceptualization of these feedbacks to avoid undesirable boomerang effect.