Julia L Allan1, Falko F Sniehotta, Marie Johnston. 1. Health Psychology, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Health Sciences Building, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK. j.allan@abdn.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Theories of action control emphasise the importance of planning, but plans are not universally beneficial. PURPOSE: The present study investigates whether the effectiveness of plans depends upon the skill of the planner. METHODS: Study 1 prospectively predicted changes in unhealthy snacking behaviour over 1 week from intentions, action planning and performance on a standardised cognitive test of planning skill (n = 72). Study 2 experimentally randomised skilled and poor planners to receive (or not) a planning intervention before completing an online food diary (n = 144) RESULTS: Spontaneously generated action plans about snacking explained significantly more variance in subsequent snacking if produced by a skilled rather than a poor planner. The planning intervention (implementation intention) significantly improved goal attainment but only in poor planners. CONCLUSIONS: Plans are only as good as the people who make them. Poor planners' plans do not help achieve goals. Planning interventions can compensate for a lack of planning skill.
BACKGROUND: Theories of action control emphasise the importance of planning, but plans are not universally beneficial. PURPOSE: The present study investigates whether the effectiveness of plans depends upon the skill of the planner. METHODS: Study 1 prospectively predicted changes in unhealthy snacking behaviour over 1 week from intentions, action planning and performance on a standardised cognitive test of planning skill (n = 72). Study 2 experimentally randomised skilled and poor planners to receive (or not) a planning intervention before completing an online food diary (n = 144) RESULTS: Spontaneously generated action plans about snacking explained significantly more variance in subsequent snacking if produced by a skilled rather than a poor planner. The planning intervention (implementation intention) significantly improved goal attainment but only in poor planners. CONCLUSIONS: Plans are only as good as the people who make them. Poor planners' plans do not help achieve goals. Planning interventions can compensate for a lack of planning skill.
Authors: Emily P Wyckoff; Brittney C Evans; Stephanie M Manasse; Meghan L Butryn; Evan M Forman Journal: Appetite Date: 2016-12-29 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Jacqueline F Hayes; Katherine N Balantekin; Andrea K Graham; Michael J Strube; Warren K Bickel; Denise E Wilfley Journal: Transl Behav Med Date: 2021-03-16 Impact factor: 3.046
Authors: Stijn A H Friederichs; Anke Oenema; Catherine Bolman; Janneke Guyaux; Hilde M van Keulen; Lilian Lechner Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-02-28 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Kara Gray-Burrows; Natalie Taylor; Daryl O'Connor; Ed Sutherland; Gijsbert Stoet; Mark Conner Journal: Health Psychol Behav Med Date: 2019-07-09