From Theory to Practice: An Explorative Study into the Instrumentality and Specificity of Implementation Intentions

Objective: The present study explores the behavioural impact of instrumentality and specificity of implementation intentions.

Method: At baseline, 764 participants in a smoking cessation contest were asked to formulate three implementation intentions on how they planned to cope with difficult situations. Two independent researchers evaluated all formulated plans and rated them according to their instrumentality (instrumental and non-instrumental) and specificity (non-specific, medium and highly specific). Point prevalence and continuous smoking abstinence rates were measured 7 months after baseline.

Results: One in four participants (23%) made at least one non-instrumental implementation intention. On average, participants made medium to highly specific plans. The mere instrumentality of plans did not significantly affect smoking abstinence. Plan specificity positively predicted point prevalence abstinence; medium to highly specific planning resulted in higher abstinence rates than less specific planning. Smoking abstinence rates did not differ between respondents with medium and highly specific planning. Women, higher educated participants, and experienced quitters were more likely to formulate instrumental implementation intentions. Women and highly motivated participants were more specific in their planning.

Conclusion: By encouraging participants to furnish goal-directed actions with sufficient detail the efficacy of implementation intention formation can be increased. Implications for future studies and interventions are discussed.