Implementation Intention Evidence Record

Implementation Intention Evidence Record

Definition

An implementation intention links a recognizable situation to a specific response in an if-then form. It helps translate an existing goal into action by deciding in advance when, where, and how to respond.

Evidence

Gollwitzer and Sheeran's 2006 meta-analysis synthesized implementation-intention research across goal domains. The U.S. National Cancer Institute's implementation-intention overview describes the method as linking a situational cue with a response that serves an existing goal.

A 2021 meta-analysis of mental contrasting with implementation intentions reported a small-to-medium average effect with meaningful variation by intervention style and study. This does not make any if-then sentence effective.

Plan fields

Boundary

Implementation intentions cannot create time, money, skill, permission, health, safety, or accessible infrastructure. A plan that repeatedly fails may have a poor cue or action, or the stated problem may be a constraint rather than an intention gap.

Avoid controlling language that removes autonomy. The if-then plan should support a self-endorsed or legitimately required goal, not create surveillance, punishment, coercion, or pressure to ignore a changing condition.