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Study summary

Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta-analysis of effects and processes

Peter M. Gollwitzer & Paschal Sheeran ·

Advances in Experimental Social Psychology

Meta-analysis on if–then plans (implementation intentions) and their effect on goal attainment and underlying processes.

Key points

  1. Implementation intentions show a medium-to-large effect on goal attainment (d ≈ .65)

  2. Effective for initiation, shielding, disengagement, and conserving resources

  3. Greater accessibility of cue situations and more automatic action initiation

Main takeaways

  • Implementation intentions show a medium-to-large effect on goal attainment (d ≈ .65)
  • Effective for initiation, shielding, disengagement, and conserving resources
  • Greater accessibility of cue situations and more automatic action initiation

Relevance for the app

Scientific basis for goal- and habit-oriented planning in the app