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Original Article

Situational Cues in Thoughts About the Future

Relationships With Self-Reported and Actual Self-Regulation Success

Published Online:March 10, 2023https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000511

Abstract

Abstract: Based on stimulus–response learning accounts, we argue that including situational cues in thought about intended actions is an important aspect of self-regulation success in general and in successfully implementing delayed intentions. Accordingly, in Study 1 (N = 328), we replicate a previous study and show a positive relationship between the self-reported inclusion of situational cues in thoughts about intended actions and beliefs of self-regulation success. In Study 2 (N = 136), we find a similar tendency when measuring self-regulation success with an assigned task to be completed within one week. Our results fit with if-then planning perspectives on how to facilitate novel behavior and recent perspectives that attribute self-regulation success to beneficial habits.

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