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The role of action control in implementing intentions during the first weeks of behaviour change
Author(s) -
Sniehotta Falko F.,
Nagy Gabriel,
Scholz Urte,
Schwarzer Ralf
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1348/014466605x62460
Subject(s) - action (physics) , psychology , construct (python library) , control (management) , predictive power , social psychology , cognition , behaviour change , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , philosophy , physics , management , epistemology , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , computer science , economics , programming language , psychiatry , psychological intervention
Prevailing social cognition models consider behavioural intentions as immediate precursors of actions. This view ignores the role of more proximal self‐regulatory processes, such as action control. The latter emerges after an intention has been formed and is supposed to maintain the level of intentions over time and to translate them into action. Three facets of action control were examined in terms of their predictive power for changes in intentions and for physical exercise: (a) awareness of standards, (b) self‐monitoring, and (c) self‐regulatory effort. A parsimonious 6‐item instrument was administered to 122 cardiac patients at six weekly measurement points in time following rehabilitation. A distinction was made between the level of action control and the degree of change in action control, applying a latent growth model. While awareness of standards remained stable, the other two facets exhibited a linear change over the six‐week period. Level and change were distinct predictors of physical exercise and changes in intentions. These findings emphasize the importance of self‐regulatory mechanisms in the first weeks of trying to overcome a sedentary lifestyle. Action control may be a promising construct to narrow the intention‐behaviour gap.