Predictors and Costs of Intention-behaviour Gaps in a Multi-behaviour Paradigm

Abstract

Background: Intention behaviour relationships are often studied in between-subject designs looking at an individual behaviour. It has been suggested that failure to implement intentions reflect poor self-regulatory capacity and has psychological costs. Methods: N=126 participants completed measures of 51 different intentions, demographics, behaviour, crystallized intelligence, executive function and quality of life. Participants were followed up one week later with a 49 self-reported and two objective behaviour measures. Results: The number of intentions participants reported was not related to the percentage of intentions implemented. Crystallized intelligence and executive function measures showed higher associations with the number of intentions formed and implemented than with those failed. Participants with more intentions reported higher well being. Failed intentions were not related to lower well being. Discussion: People may form more intentions than they can translate because they are more prone to be happy about their achievement than disappointed about intentions which are not translated.