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Vandyousefi S, Oettingen G, Wittleder S, Moin T, Sweat V, Aguilar AD, Ruan A, Angelotti G, Wong L, Orstad SL, Illengberger N, Nicholson A, Lim S, Cansler R, Portelli D, Sherman S, Jay MR. Protocol for a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) to enhance the effectiveness of VA's MOVE! weight management program: WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) VA. Contemp Clin Trials 2024; 141:107523. [PMID: 38608752 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intensive weight management programs are effective but often have low enrollment and high attrition. Lack of motivation is a key psychological barrier to enrollment, engagement, and weight loss. Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) is a unique imagery technique that increases motivation for behavior change. We describe our study protocol to assess the efficacy and implementation of MCII to enhance the effectiveness of VA's MOVE! or TeleMOVE! weight management programs using a procedure called "WOOP" (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) for Veterans. We hypothesize that WOOP+MOVE! or TeleMOVE! (intervention) will lead to greater MOVE!/TeleMOVE! program engagment and consequently weight loss than MOVE!/TeleMOVE! alone (control). METHOD Veterans are randomized to either the intervention or control. Both arms receive the either MOVE! or TeleMOVE! weight management programs. The intervention group receives an hour long WOOP training while the control group receives patient education. Both groups receive telephone follow up calls at 3 days, 4 weeks, and 2 months post-baseline. Eligible participants are Veterans (ages 18-70 years) with either obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and an obesity-associated co-morbidity. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, we assess weight, diet, physical activity in both groups. The primary outcome is mean percent weight change at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and dieting self-efficacy and engagement in regular physical activity. We assess implementation using the RE-AIM framework. CONCLUSION If WOOP VA is found to be efficacious, it will be an important tool to facilitate weight management and improve weight outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT05014984.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarvenaz Vandyousefi
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Sandra Wittleder
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tannaz Moin
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America; Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, The University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Victoria Sweat
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Adrian D Aguilar
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Andrea Ruan
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Gina Angelotti
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Laura Wong
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Stephanie L Orstad
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Illengberger
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Andrew Nicholson
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Sahnah Lim
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Rachel Cansler
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Dilara Portelli
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Scott Sherman
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Melanie R Jay
- New York Harbor Veterans Health Affairs, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America.
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Tamim M, Wang G, Gai X, Ma Y. Causality orientations and spontaneous mental contrasting. THE JOURNAL OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 2024:1-26. [PMID: 38369743 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.2024.2317240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Mental contrasting is a motivational behavior change strategy necessary for strong goal commitment. Meanwhile, general causality orientations are motivational patterns that represent individuals' motivation for behavior change and the reason for their goal commitment. The current study explored whether causality orientations predict spontaneous mental contrasting in Chinese university students. Study 1 investigated whether academic autonomy, control, and amotivated orientations correlate with spontaneous mental contrasting about an important academic goal. The findings of Study 1 reveal that autonomy orientation did not correlate with mental contrasting, whereas control and amotivated orientations were negatively correlated with mental contrasting. Study 2 investigated whether priming autonomy and control orientations, in addition to the neutral condition, would induce spontaneous mental contrasting about an academic goal related to the students' research topic. The results of Study 2 revealed that the autonomy condition orientation did not differ significantly from the controlled orientation condition. However, when compared to the neutral condition, the autonomy condition significantly predicted mental contrasting, whereas the controlled orientation condition did not show any significant difference. In Study 2, the autonomy-oriented participants generated more spontaneous mental contrast than the control orientation and neutral conditions. The findings show that controlled and amotivated orientations predicted negative mental contrasting. As a result, controlled and amotivated students must learn how to use mental contrasting to achieve high levels of goal commitment and achievement. Lastly, the study discussed its implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research.
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Timur Sevincer A, Schröder A, Plakides A, Edler N, Oettingen G. Low working memory reduces the use of mental contrasting. Conscious Cogn 2024; 118:103644. [PMID: 38244397 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2024.103644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Mentally contrasting a desired future with reality is a self-regulation strategy that helps people effectively pursue important personal wishes. People with higher self-regulation skills are more likely to spontaneously use mental contrasting. Because one central cognitive function underlying self-regulation is working memory capacity, we investigated whether people with low rather than high working memory capacity are less likely to spontaneously use mental contrasting. Study 1 provided correlational evidence that participants with lower working memory capacity, as measured by the Operation-Span Task, were less likely to use mental contrasting when elaborating an important interpersonal wish. Study 2 provided experimental evidence that manipulating low working memory capacity by inducing cognitive load (vs. no load) led fewer participants to use mental contrasting. The findings have theoretical implications by illuminating the processes that impede mental contrasting, and they have applied implications for understanding how to foster the use of mental contrasting in everyday life.
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Kim S, Gollwitzer PM, Oettingen G. Mental contrasting of a negative future facilitates COVID-19 preventative behaviors: two randomized controlled trials. Psychol Health 2024; 39:1-23. [PMID: 35410548 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2060978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The present research examined whether mentally contrasting a negative, feared future (i.e., infection with the Coronavirus) with a still positive reality can promote preventative actions in the context of the pandemic. Design: In two randomized controlled trials, we varied participants' mode of thought (mental contrasting of a negative future with a positive reality versus fantasizing of a negative future). Study 2 took into account the interpersonal nature of the pandemic and manipulated the mode of thought in a vicarious manner (vicarious mental contrasting versus vicarious negative fantasizing). Main Outcome Measures: After the manipulation, we assessed participants' intentions to learn about COVID-19 (Study 1) and attention to COVID-19 information (Study 1 and 2). Three days later, we measured the amount of physical distancing (Study 1 and 2). Results: Study 1 found that mental contrasting leads to more COVID-19 preventative behaviors than mere negative fantasizing. In Study 2, we observed that vicarious mental contrasting facilitates physical distancing among people who initially showed low compliance with COVID-19 preventative behaviors and thus were in most need of a boost in preventative behavior. Conclusion: The findings suggest that mental contrasting of negative fantasies may be an effective way to encourage COVID-19 preventative behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- SunYoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Yang MZ, King WC, Oettingen G, Sheeran P. Evidence that Mental Contrasting Reduces Health Information Avoidance. Ann Behav Med 2023:kaad031. [PMID: 37318275 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaad031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although learning health information is beneficial for physical well-being, many people opt to avoid learning this information due to its potentially threatening nature. Such avoidance can lead to delays in seeking treatment. PURPOSE This study tested the effectiveness of a self-regulation technique, mental contrasting (MC), specifically MC of a negative future with a positive current reality, in reducing health information avoidance regarding skin cancer (melanoma). We hypothesized that participants who engaged in MC would be more likely to choose to learn about their melanoma risk than those who completed a control, reflection activity. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled trial (N = 354). Participants were assigned to complete a MC or reflection (control) exercise prior to filling out a melanoma risk calculator. Participants were then asked whether they wanted to learn their melanoma risk, and how much information they would like to know. RESULTS Chi-Square tests revealed that MC decreased melanoma risk information avoidance compared to the reflection activity (12% vs. 23.4%) but did not make participants more likely seek additional information. CONCLUSION MC is a brief, engaging, and effective strategy for reducing health information avoidance that could prove useful in medical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Z Yang
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Willa C King
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Paschal Sheeran
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Clayton McClure JH, Cole SN. Controllability is key: Goal pursuit during COVID‐19 and insights for theories of self‐regulation. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott N. Cole
- School of Education, Language and Psychology York St John University York UK
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Voigt EC, Mutter ER, Oettingen G. Effectiveness of a Motivational Smoking Reduction Strategy Across Socioeconomic Status and Stress Levels. Front Psychol 2022; 13:801028. [PMID: 35369175 PMCID: PMC8973437 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.801028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Smoking consequences are seen disproportionately among low-SES smokers. We examine the self-regulatory strategy of mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) as a smoking reduction tool and whether its effectiveness depends on subjective-SES. This pre-registered online experiment comprised a pre-screening, baseline survey, and follow-up. Participants reported past-week smoking, subjective-SES, perceived stress, and were randomized to an active control (n = 161) or MCII condition (n = 164). Data were collected via MTurk, during the U.S.' initial wave of COVID-19. Participants were moderate-to-heavy smokers open to reducing or quitting. The primary outcome was self-reported smoking reduction, computed as the difference between recent smoking at baseline and follow-up. The secondary outcome was cessation, operationalized as self-reported 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at follow-up. Among those low-but not high-in subjective-SES, MCII (vs. control) improved smoking reduction by an average of 1.09 fewer cigarettes smoked per day, though this effect was not conclusive (p = 0.11). Similarly, quitting was descriptively more likely for those in the MCII than control condition, but the effect was non-significant (p = 0.11). Per an exploratory analysis, we observed that stress significantly moderated the condition effect (p = 0.01), such that MCII (vs. control) facilitated reduction among those experiencing high (p = 0.03), but not low stress (p = 0.15). Consistent with prior findings that MCII works best in vulnerable populations, MCII may be more effective for smoking reduction among high-stress than low-stress individuals. These findings contribute to growing research on income-related health disparities and smoking behavior change tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C. Voigt
- Department of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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Monin JK, Oettingen G, Laws H, David D, DeMatteo L, Marottoli R. A Controlled Pilot Study of the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan Strategy for Spouses of Persons with Early-Stage Dementia. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 77:513-524. [PMID: 34171086 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Behavioral interventions can reduce distress for couples coping with early-stage dementia. However, most interventions are limited in accessibility and fail to address individualized goals. This pilot study examined the dyadic effects on multiple indicators of well-being of the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan (WOOP) intervention which guides participants to use Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) to achieve attainable goals in their daily lives. METHODS This randomized controlled trial included 45 older persons with early-stage dementia (PWD) and their spousal care partners (CPs: n = 90 individuals). CPs were assigned randomly to WOOP training immediately after baseline (WOOP) or after a three-month follow-up interview (Control; CON). Both groups received a dementia care education booklet. WOOP CPs were instructed to practice WOOP at least once a day for two weeks. All CPs and PWDs completed home surveys (baseline, two-weeks, and three months) measuring perceived stress, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and affect. RESULTS Mixed effects models showed significant intervention x time interaction effects with large effect sizes for CPs on three of the five outcomes over three months. Compared to CON, WOOP CPs had decreased perceived stress (δ = 1.71) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.55) and positive affect (δ = 2.30). WOOP PWD showed decreased perceived stress (δ = .87) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.26) but these effects were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION WOOP is a promising, brief intervention to improve dementia care partners' well-being that may also positively impact their partners with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan K Monin
- Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health
| | | | - Holly Laws
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Daniel David
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University
| | | | - Richard Marottoli
- Geriatrics, Yale School of Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System
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von Weichs V, Krott NR, Oettingen G. The Self-Regulation of Conformity: Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions (MCII). Front Psychol 2021; 12:546178. [PMID: 34149487 PMCID: PMC8206508 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.546178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The self-regulation of conformity has received little attention in previous research. This is surprising because group majorities can exert social strong pressure on people, leading them to overlook the pursuit of their own goals. We investigated if self-regulation by mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) can reduce people's tendency to conform and facilitate their own goal-pursuit despite deviant majority influence. In a computer-based logical reasoning task, we exposed participants to a conformity manipulation, where we presented bogus diagrams showing the supposedly correct answers of a majority ingroup. Compared to participants who were not given a self-regulation strategy (Studies 1, 2, and 4) or who were in an active control group (Study 3), MCII helped participants to self-regulate conforming behavior in trying to solve the task and to independently solve the logical reasoning task, as indicated by increases in correct answers in the task. The findings suggest that MCII is an effective strategy to regulate people's tendency to conform and supports them to attain their goal despite deviant majority influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivica von Weichs
- Institute of Psychology, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nora Rebekka Krott
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict & Violence (IKG), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York City, NY, United States.,University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Wang G, Wang Y, Gai X. A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions on Goal Attainment. Front Psychol 2021; 12:565202. [PMID: 34054628 PMCID: PMC8149892 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.565202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) is a self-regulation strategy that enhances goal attainment. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of MCII for goal attainment and explored potential moderators. A total of 21 empirical studies with 24 independent effect sizes (15,907 participants) were included in the analysis. Results showed that MCII to be effective for goal attainment with a small to medium effect size (g = 0.336). The effect was mainly moderated by intervention style. Specifically, studies with interventions based on interactions between participants and experimenters (g = 0.465) had stronger effects than studies with interventions based on interactions between participants and documents (g = 0.277). The results revealed that MCII is a brief and effective strategy for goal attainment with a small to moderate effect; however, because of some publication bias, the actual effect sizes may be smaller. Due to small number of studies in this meta-analysis, additional studies are needed to determine the role of moderator variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxia Wang
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Wang
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaosong Gai
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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Clark M, Miller A, Berry J, Cheng K. Mental contrasting with implementation intentions increases study time for university students. BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 91:850-864. [PMID: 33315247 DOI: 10.1111/bjep.12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Goal setting is a core aspect of human behaviour that drives action. The intention to achieve one's goals, however, does not necessarily translate into desired outcomes. Although the mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) strategy has demonstrated strong efficacy, limited investigations have been conducted in a university academic goal-setting context. AIMS The current study sought to investigate the efficacy of MCII in facilitating academic goal attainment in university students. METHOD Fifty-eight students from Macquarie University, Australia, were randomly allocated to either MCII or stress management training, and were assessed on their progress towards the target goal of increased hours of study four weeks later. Goal attainment scaling (GAS) facilitated the generation of tailored specific goals and was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS An analysis of covariance indicated that students trained in MCII achieved significantly better goal outcomes than those trained in stress management for both broad (p = .038) and course- or unit-specific (p = .005) study goals. CONCLUSIONS Results highlight the efficacy of using MCII and GAS in combination to promote increased study time for university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Clark
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anthony Miller
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie Berry
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Advanced Neuropsychological Treatment Services, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ken Cheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Research thematic and emerging trends of contextual cues: a bibliometrics and visualization approach. LIBRARY HI TECH 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/lht-11-2019-0237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThe paper aims to clarify the importance of the psychological processing of contextual cues in the mining of individual attention resources. In recent years, the research of more open spatial perspective, such as spatial and scene perception, has gradually turned to the recognition of contextual cues, accumulating rich literature and becoming a hotspot of interdisciplinary research. Nevertheless, besides the fields of psychology and neuroscience, researchers in other fields lack systematic knowledge of contextual cues. The purpose of this study is to expand the research field of contextual cues.Design/methodology/approachWe retrieved 494 papers on contextual cues from SCI/SSCI core database of the Web of Science in 1992–2019. Then, we used several bibliometric and sophisticated network analysis tools, such as HistCite, CiteSpace, VOSviewe and Pajek, to identify the time-and-space knowledge map, research hotspots, evolution process, emerging trends and primary path of contextual cues.FindingsThe paper found the core scholars, major journals, research institutions, and the popularity of citation to be closely related to the research of contextual cues. In addition, we constructed a co-word network of contextual cues, confirming the concept of behavior implementation intentions and filling in the research gap in the field of behavior science. Then, the quantitative analysis of the burst literature on contextual cues revealed that the research on it that focused more on multi-objective cues. Furthermore, an analysis of the main path helped researchers clearly understand and grasp in the development trend and evolution track of contextual cues.Originality/valueGiven academic research usually lags behind management practice, our systematic review of the literature to a certain extent make a bridge between theory and practice.
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Łakuta P. Using the theory of self-affirmation and self-regulation strategies of mental contrasting and forming implementation intentions to reduce social anxiety symptoms. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2020; 33:370-386. [PMID: 32223442 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2020.1746283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Based on the results of past research on emotion regulation and positive behavioral change via self-affirmation, it was hypothesized that self-affirmation should help socially anxious individuals to reduce social anxiety symptoms. The effectiveness of a brief self-affirmation intervention framed in terms of implementation intentions (if-then plans with self-affirming cognitions) was compared against forming non-affirming implementation intentions (with distraction as a way of coping) and inactive control condition. Additionally, it was tested whether mental contrasting can augment the impact of the self-affirmation intervention. Design/Methods: Participants (N = 198, aged 18-45) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention conditions (self-affirming implementation intention, mental contrasting with self-affirming implementation intention, or non-affirming implementation intention) or an inactive control-group. Social anxiety symptoms were assessed at baseline and at one-week post-intervention. Results: The difference between the interventions and the control group was substantial. However, there were no differences in the reduction of overall social anxiety levels between the interventions. Each of the interventions produced a statistically significant reduction in social anxiety (Cohen's ds from -.40 to -.50). Conclusions: The results indicate no advantage for self-affirming over non-affirming implementation intentions in reducing social anxiety symptoms. Moreover, no superiority of mental contrasting was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Łakuta
- Department of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland
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Sevincer AT, Musik T, Degener A, Greinert A, Oettingen G. Taking Responsibility for Others and Use of Mental Contrasting. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2020; 46:1219-1233. [PMID: 31928315 DOI: 10.1177/0146167219898569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mentally contrasting a desired future with present reality fosters selective goal pursuit: People pursue feasible desired futures and let go from unfeasible ones. We investigated whether people are more inclined to spontaneously use mental contrasting when they feel responsibility. Studies 1 and 2 provided correlational evidence: Employees who felt responsible for completing an important team project (Study 1) and MTurk users who felt and actively took social responsibility (Study 2) were more inclined to use mental contrasting. Studies 3 and 4 added experimental evidence: Students who were instructed to imagine responsibility for giving an excellent class presentation in a group or alone (Study 3) and participants who elaborated on an idiosyncratic wish that involved responsibility for others or themselves tended to use mental contrasting (Study 4). Apparently, people who feel or take responsibility for others, the society, or themselves are more likely to use mental contrasting as a self-regulation tool.
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Mental contrasting and conciliatory behavior in romantic relationships. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-019-09791-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Valshtein TJ, Oettingen G, Gollwitzer PM. Using mental contrasting with implementation intentions to reduce bedtime procrastination: two randomised trials. Psychol Health 2019; 35:275-301. [DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2019.1652753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cross A, Sheffield D. Mental contrasting for health behaviour change: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effects and moderator variables. Health Psychol Rev 2019; 13:209-225. [DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2019.1594332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Wittleder S, Kappes A, Oettingen G, Gollwitzer PM, Jay M, Morgenstern J. Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions Reduces Drinking When Drinking Is Hazardous: An Online Self-Regulation Intervention. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2019; 46:666-676. [PMID: 30836781 DOI: 10.1177/1090198119826284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction. Drinking alcohol has detrimental health consequences, and effective interventions to reduce hazardous drinking are needed. The self-regulation intervention of Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) promotes behavior change across a variety of health behaviors. In this study, we tested if online delivery of MCII reduced hazardous drinking in people who were worried about their drinking. Method. Participants (N = 200, female = 107) were recruited online. They were randomized to learn MCII or solve simple math problems (control). Results. Immediately after the intervention, participants in the MCII condition (vs. control) reported an increased commitment to reduce drinking. After 1 month, they reported having taken action measured by the Readiness to Change drinking scale. When drinking was hazardous (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test ≥ 8, n = 85), participants in the MCII condition indicated a decreased number of drinking days, exp(β) = 0.47, CI (confidence interval) [-1.322, -.207], p = .02, and drinks per week, exp(β) = 0.57, CI [0.94, 5.514], p = .007, compared with the control condition. Discussion. These findings demonstrate that a brief, self-guided online intervention (Mdn = 28 minutes) can reduce drinking in people who worry about their drinking. Our findings show a higher impact in people at risk for hazardous drinking. Conclusion. MCII is scalable as an online intervention. Future studies should test the cost-effectiveness of the intervention in real-world settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Wittleder
- 1 University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,2 New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Gabriele Oettingen
- 1 University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,2 New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter M Gollwitzer
- 2 New York University, New York, NY, USA.,4 University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Abstract
Abstract. Mentally contrasting a desired future with present reality fosters selective goal pursuit: People pursue feasible desired futures and let go from unfeasible ones. We investigated whether people spontaneously use mental contrasting when the demand to act toward their desired future is high. Study 1 provided correlational evidence: The participants who planned to act most immediately were also those who used mental contrasting. Studies 2 and 3 added experimental evidence: Imagining an immediate (vs. no immediate) action and being confronted with the opportunity to perform an instrumental (vs. noninstrumental) action, respectively, led participants to mentally contrast. The findings have theoretical implications by suggesting that people initiate mental contrasting as a problem-solving strategy; they have applied implications for interventions teaching mental contrasting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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20
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Schweiger Gallo I, Bieleke M, Alonso MA, Gollwitzer PM, Oettingen G. Downregulation of Anger by Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions (MCII). Front Psychol 2018; 9:1838. [PMID: 30337897 PMCID: PMC6180165 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As anger can lead to aggressive behavior aiming at intentionally hurting somebody, the prevention of its destructive consequences with effective emotion regulation strategies is crucial. Two studies tested the idea that mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) interventions would be effective in down-regulating anger. In Study 1, participants who adopted the self-regulation strategy of MCII showed significantly less anger-related negative affect after the anger induction than participants in a control condition, with positive affect staying unaffected. Results from a second study with a control condition plus three self-regulation conditions - a reappraisal, a MCII, and a reappraisal + MCII condition - suggest that participants using MCII were effective in down-regulating anger, irrespective of whether it was supplemented by reappraisal or not. The present research contributes to emotion regulation research by introducing MCII as an effective strategy that can be tailored to satisfy individual emotion regulation demands, such as dealing with experienced anger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Schweiger Gallo
- Departamento de Antropología Social y Psicología Social, Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociología, Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Department of Psychology and Graduate School of Decision Sciences, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Miguel A. Alonso
- Departamento de Psicología Social, del Trabajo y Diferencial, Facultad de Psicología, Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Peter M. Gollwitzer
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
- Social Psychology and Motivation Division, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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21
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Gollwitzer PM, Mayer D, Frick C, Oettingen G. Promoting the Self-Regulation of Stress in Health Care Providers: An Internet-Based Intervention. Front Psychol 2018; 9:838. [PMID: 29962979 PMCID: PMC6013563 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our internet-based intervention study was to find out whether healthcare professionals can autonomously down-regulate the stress they experience at their workplace, using an established self-regulation tool called Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII). Applying MCII to reduce stress implied for our participants to repeatedly engage in a mental exercise that (1) required specifying a wish related to reducing stress, (2) identifying and imagining its most desired positive outcome, (3) detecting and imagining the obstacle that holds them back, and (4) coming up with an if-then plan on how to overcome it. We recruited on-line nurses employed at various health institutions all over Germany, and randomly assigned participants to one of three groups. In the MCII group (n = 33), participants were taught how to use this exercise via email and the participants were asked to engage in the exercise on a daily basis for a period of 3 weeks. As compared to two control groups, one being a no-treatment control group (n = 35) and the other a modified MCII group (n = 32), our experimental MCII group showed a reduced stress level and an enhanced work engagement. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the present study as well as ways to intensify MCII effects on stress reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Gollwitzer
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Doris Mayer
- Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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22
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Kessemeier F, Petermann F, Stöckler C, Bassler M, Pfeiffer W, Kobelt A. Förderung berufsbezogener Ziele in der psychosomatischen Rehabilitation durch Mentales Kontrastieren und Wenn-Dann-Pläne. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KLINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2018. [DOI: 10.1026/1616-3443/a000474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: In der medizinischen Rehabilitation besteht ein Bedarf an Interventionen zur Förderung von Arbeitsmotivation. Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) hat sich als Methode zur Unterstützung von Zielverfolgung, -bindung und -erreichung etabliert. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte die Frage: Kann MCII berufsbezogene Ziele fördern? Methode: Patient_innen der psychosomatischen Rehabilitation nahmen an einer berufsbezogenen MCII-Intervention teil (IG; n = 100). Die Kontrollgruppe (KG; n = 100) erhielt eine MBOR-Behandlung ohne MCII-Intervention. Verwendet wurden Fragebogen zu Symptomen, Behandlungszufriedenheit sowie Therapiezielen. Ergebnisse: Patient_innen der IG nannten im Vergleich zur KG etwa zweimal häufiger Ziele mit Berufsbezug (OR = 2.292, 95 % KI [1.049, 5.004]). Nach der Intervention schätzten Patient_innen die Wahrscheinlichkeit der Zielerreichung positiver ein und hatten häufiger einen Zielerreichungsplan. Sie waren zufriedener mit ihrem Behandlungsergebnis. Schlussfolgerungen: Durch MCII priorisierten Patient_innen berufsbezogene Ziele. Die Intervention stellt eine zeit- und kostenökonomische Methode dar, um die Motivation zur Rückkehr ins Erwerbsleben in den Fokus der Reha-Maßnahme zu rücken.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Franz Petermann
- Zentrum für Klinische Psychologie und Rehabilitation, Universität Bremen
| | | | | | | | - Axel Kobelt
- Zentrum für Klinische Psychologie und Rehabilitation, Universität Bremen
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung Braunschweig-Hannover, Laatzen
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23
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Bland AM. The Personal Hero Technique: A Therapeutic Strategy That Promotes Self-Transformation and Interdependence. JOURNAL OF HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/0022167818763207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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24
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Fernando JW, Burden N, Ferguson A, O'Brien LV, Judge M, Kashima Y. Functions of Utopia: How Utopian Thinking Motivates Societal Engagement. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2018; 44:779-792. [PMID: 29347880 DOI: 10.1177/0146167217748604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Images of ideal societies, utopias, are all around us; yet, little is known of how utopian visions affect ordinary people's engagement with their societies. As goals for society, utopias may elicit processes of collective self-regulation, in which citizens are critical of, or take action to change, the societies they live in. In three studies, we investigated the psychological function of utopian thinking. In Study 1, measured utopianism was correlated with the activation of three utopian functions: change, critique, and compensation. In Study 2, primed utopian thinking consistently enhanced change and criticism intentions. Study 3 also provided evidence that mental contrasting-first imagining a utopian vision and then mentally contrasting the current society to this vision-underlies the facilitative effect of utopian thinking on societal engagement.
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25
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Larsen JK, Hermans RCJ, Sleddens EFC, Vink JM, Kremers SPJ, Ruiter ELM, Fisher JO. How to bridge the intention-behavior gap in food parenting: Automatic constructs and underlying techniques. Appetite 2017; 123:191-200. [PMID: 29277519 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Although parents often report positive intentions to promote and create a healthy food environment for their children (e.g., setting limits to snacks offered), they also experience difficulties in translating these intentions into actual behaviors. In this position paper, we argue that automatic processes explain an important part of the gap between parents' intentions and their actual food parenting behaviors. We provide a conceptual framework in which we hypothesize that automatic effects on food parenting occur through two key interrelated constructs: habits (key outcome construct) and volitional regulation behaviors (key mediating construct). Moreover, we discuss potentially important impulse-focused techniques that may directly change habits (e.g., nudging; inhibitory control training) or indirectly through volitional regulation behaviors (e.g., implementation intentions; mental contrasting). We make use of the literature on the role of intention-behavior discordance in general health behaviors and discuss implications for food parenting practices. Our framework provides a dual process view towards food parenting and may help to explain when and why parents are likely to engage in (un)healthy food parenting behaviors. In addition, this framework may hopefully stimulate research on (combinations of old and) new techniques to promote good food parenting behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junilla K Larsen
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Roel C J Hermans
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ester F C Sleddens
- Department of Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline M Vink
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Stef P J Kremers
- Department of Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Emilie L M Ruiter
- Academic Collaborative Centre AMPHI, Primary and Community Care, ELG 117, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer O Fisher
- Center for Obesity Research and Education, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, 3223 N. Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia PA 19140, USA
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26
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Abstract
Abstract. Mentally contrasting a desired future with reality is a self-regulation strategy helping people manage their life by promoting selective goal pursuit: people pursue feasible futures and disengage from unfeasible ones. We investigated whether participants who effectively regulate their academic and everyday life spontaneously use mental contrasting. Indeed, students who were good self-regulators in the academic domain, as indicated by their high self-reported academic self-regulation skills, high need for achievement, and above-average grades mentally contrasted when writing about an important achievement-related wish (Study 1). So did participants who were good self-regulators in everyday life as indicated by their high self-reported generalized self-regulation skills and high need for cognition (Study 2). Results indicate that successful self-regulation is linked to spontaneous mental contrasting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Germany
- Psychology Department, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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27
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El-Awad U, Fathi A, Petermann F, Reinelt T. Promoting Mental Health in Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: Recommendations for Primary Support Programs. Brain Sci 2017; 7:brainsci7110146. [PMID: 29104237 PMCID: PMC5704153 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7110146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last years, the number of refugees around the world increased to about 22.5 million. The mental health of refugees, especially of unaccompanied minors (70% between the ages of 16 and 18 years) who have been exposed to traumatic events (e.g., war), is generally impaired with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Several studies revealed (1) a huge variation among the prevalence rates of these mental problems, and (2) that post-migration stressors (e.g., language barriers, cultural differences) might be at least as detrimental to mental health as the traumatic events in pre- and peri-flight. As psychotherapy is a limited resource that should be reserved for severe cases and as language trainings are often publicly offered for refugees, we recommend focusing on intercultural competence, emotion regulation, and goal setting and goal striving in primary support programs: Intercultural competence fosters adaptation by giving knowledge about cultural differences in values and norms. Emotion regulation regarding empathy, positive reappraisal, and cultural differences in emotion expression fosters both adaptation and mental health. Finally, supporting unaccompanied refugee minors in their goal setting and goal striving is necessary, as they carry many unrealistic wishes and unattainable goals, which can be threatening to their mental health. Building on these three psychological processes, we provide recommendations for primary support programs for unaccompanied refugee minors that are aged 16 to 18 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usama El-Awad
- Center for Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University of Bremen, Grazer Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Atefeh Fathi
- Center for Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University of Bremen, Grazer Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Franz Petermann
- Center for Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University of Bremen, Grazer Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Tilman Reinelt
- Center for Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University of Bremen, Grazer Str. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
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28
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Mental contrasting of counterfactual fantasies attenuates disappointment, regret, and resentment. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-017-9644-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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29
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Brodersen G, Oettingen G. Mental Contrasting of a Negative Future with a Positive Reality Regulates State Anxiety. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1596. [PMID: 28979223 PMCID: PMC5612034 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental contrasting of a desired future with impeding reality is a self-regulatory strategy fostering goal pursuit. However, there is little research on mental contrasting of a negative future with a positive reality. We conducted two experiments, each with four experimental conditions, investigating the effects of mental contrasting a negative future with a positive reality on state anxiety: participants who mentally contrasted a negative future regarding a bacterial epidemic (Study 1, N = 199) or an idiosyncratic negative event (Study 2, N = 206) showed less state anxiety than participants who imagined the negative future only or who reverse contrasted; participants who mentally elaborated on the positive reality also showed less state anxiety. Our findings suggest that mental contrasting of a negative future helps people reduce disproportional anxiety regarding a negative future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, University of HamburgHamburg, Germany.,Department of Psychology, New York University, New YorkNY, United States
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30
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Saddawi-Konefka D. Changing Resident Physician Studying Behaviors: A Randomized, Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Goal Setting Versus Use of WOOP. J Grad Med Educ 2017; 9:451-457. [PMID: 28824757 PMCID: PMC5559239 DOI: 10.4300/jgme-d-16-00703.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following through on one's goals to study is essential for effective, self-regulated learning. This can be difficult for residents because of clinical demands and limited personal time. WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) is a self-regulation strategy, also known as mental contrasting with implementation intentions. WOOP increases follow-through on goals in many domains, although it has not, to our knowledge, been evaluated in medical education. OBJECTIVE We compared the effect of WOOP versus goal setting on time residents spent studying. METHODS Through a prospective, randomized, comparative effectiveness study, during a 1-month, intensive care unit rotation, we clustered anesthesiology residents in single-blind fashion to WOOP versus goal setting. Both groups received organized study materials. The intervention group performed WOOP to study more; the comparison group set goals to study more. Residents tracked studying with daily diaries. The primary outcome was total time spent studying toward stated goals. Time spent studying "non-goal" medical material was a secondary outcome. RESULTS Of 34 eligible residents, 100% participated. Sixteen residents were randomized to the WOOP group and 18 to the goal-setting group. The WOOP group spent significantly more time studying toward their goals compared with the goal-setting group (median = 4.3 hours versus 1.5 hours; P = .021; g = 0.66). There was no significant difference in time spent studying non-goal medical material between groups (median = 5.5 hours versus 5.0 hours, P = .99). CONCLUSIONS WOOP increased the time residents spent studying toward their goals as compared with setting goals alone.
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31
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Leduc-Cummings I, Milyavskaya M, Peetz J. Goal motivation and the subjective perception of past and future obstacles. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.12.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Parthasarathi T, McConnell MH, Luery J, Kable JW. The Vivid Present: Visualization Abilities Are Associated with Steep Discounting of Future Rewards. Front Psychol 2017; 8:289. [PMID: 28321198 PMCID: PMC5337487 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans and other animals discount the value of future rewards, a phenomenon known as delay discounting. Individuals vary widely in the extent to which they discount future rewards, and these tendencies have been associated with important life outcomes. Recent studies have demonstrated that imagining the future reduces subsequent discounting behavior, but no research to date has examined whether a similar principle applies at the trait level, and whether training visualization changes discounting. The current study examined if individual differences in visualization abilities are linked to individual differences in discounting and whether practicing visualization can change discounting behaviors in a lasting way. Participants (n = 48) completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) and delay discounting task and then underwent a 4-week intervention consisting of visualization training (intervention) or relaxation training (control). Contrary to our hypotheses, participants who reported greater visualization abilities (lower scores) on the VVIQ were higher discounters. To further examine this relationship, an additional 106 participants completed the VVIQ and delay discounting task. In the total sample (n = 154), there was a significant negative correlation between VVIQ scores and discount rates, showing that individuals who are better visualizers are also higher discounters. Consistent with this relationship but again to our surprise, visualization training tended, albeit weakly, to increase discount rates, and those whose VVIQ decreased the most were those whose discount rates increased the most. These results suggest a novel association between visualization abilities and delay discounting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trishala Parthasarathi
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaPA, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey Luery
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaPA, USA
| | - Joseph W. Kable
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaPA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaPA, USA
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33
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Cross A, Sheffield D. Mental contrasting as a behaviour change technique: a systematic review protocol paper of effects, mediators and moderators on health. Syst Rev 2016; 5:201. [PMID: 27887634 PMCID: PMC5123225 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-016-0382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental contrasting is a self-regulation strategy that is required for strong goal commitment. In mental contrasting, individuals firstly imagine a desired future or health goal that contrasted with the reality proceeding the goal state, which after reflection is viewed as an obstacle (Oettingen et al. J Pers Soc Psychol 80:736-753, 2001). Mentally contrasting a positive future with reality enables individuals to translate positive attitudes and high efficacy into strong goal commitment. METHODS A systematic review of the literature is proposed to explore the efficacy of mental contrasting as a behaviour change technique (Michie et al., Ann Behav Med 46: 81-95, 2013) for health. The review also aims to identify the effects of mental contrasting on health-related behaviour, as well as identifying mediator and moderator variables. DISCUSSION This will be the first systematic review of mental contrasting as a health behaviour change technique. With sufficient studies, a meta-analysis will be conducted with sensitivity and sub group analyses. If meta-analysis is not appropriate, a narrative synthesis of the reviewed studies will be conducted. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION Review protocol registered on PROSPERO reference CRD42016034202 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainslea Cross
- University of Derby Online Learning, University of Derby, Derby, UK.
| | - David Sheffield
- College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, UK
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34
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Oettingen G, Reininger KM. The power of prospection: mental contrasting and behavior change. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Oettingen
- Psychology Department; New York University; New York New York USA
- Institute of Psychology; University of Hamburg; Hamburg Germany
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35
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Bieleke M, Gollwitzer PM, Oettingen G, Fischbacher U. Social Value Orientation Moderates the Effects of Intuition versus Reflection on Responses to Unfair Ultimatum Offers. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DECISION MAKING 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/bdm.1975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maik Bieleke
- Department of Psychology; University of Konstanz; Konstanz Germany
- Graduate School of Decision Sciences; University of Konstanz; Konstanz Germany
| | - Peter M. Gollwitzer
- Department of Psychology; University of Konstanz; Konstanz Germany
- Department of Psychology; New York University; New York NY USA
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology; New York University; New York NY USA
- Department of Psychology; University of Hamburg; Hamburg Germany
| | - Urs Fischbacher
- Department of Economics; University of Konstanz; Konstanz Germany
- Thurgau Institute of Economics; Kreuzlingen Switzerland
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36
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Loy LS, Wieber F, Gollwitzer PM, Oettingen G. Supporting Sustainable Food Consumption: Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) Aligns Intentions and Behavior. Front Psychol 2016; 7:607. [PMID: 27199840 PMCID: PMC4850472 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
With growing awareness that sustainable consumption is important for quality of life on earth, many individuals intend to act more sustainably. In this regard, interest in reducing meat consumption is on the rise. However, people often do not translate intentions into actual behavior change. To address this intention-behavior gap, we tested the self-regulation strategy of mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII). Here, people identify and imagine a desired future and current obstacles standing in its way. They address the obstacles with if-then plans specifying when, where, and how to act differently. In a 5-week randomized controlled experimental study, we compared an information + MCII intervention with an information-only control intervention. As hypothesized, only MCII participants’ intention of reducing their meat consumption was predictive of their actual reduction, while no correspondence between intention and behavior change was found for control participants. Participants with a moderate to strong intention to reduce their meat consumption reduced it more in the MCII than in the control condition. Thus, MCII helped to narrow the intention-behavior gap and supported behavior change for those holding moderate and strong respective intentions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Loy
- Media Psychology Division, School of Communication, University of HohenheimStuttgart, Germany; Social Psychology and Motivation Division, Department of Psychology, University of KonstanzKonstanz, Germany
| | - Frank Wieber
- Social Psychology and Motivation Division, Department of Psychology, University of KonstanzKonstanz, Germany; Centre for Health Sciences, School of Health Professions, Zurich University of Applied SciencesWinterthur, Switzerland
| | - Peter M Gollwitzer
- Social Psychology and Motivation Division, Department of Psychology, University of KonstanzKonstanz, Germany; Motivation Lab, Psychology Department, New York UniversityNew York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Motivation Lab, Psychology Department, New York UniversityNew York, NY, USA; Educational Psychology and Motivation Division, Department of Psychology, University of HamburgHamburg, Germany
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Baumeister RF, Vohs KD, Oettingen G. Pragmatic Prospection: How and Why People Think about the Future. REVIEW OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1037/gpr0000060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In the present, the past is more knowable than the future—but people think far more about the future than the past. Both facts derive from the principle that the future can be changed whereas the past cannot. Our theory of pragmatic prospection holds that people think about the future so as to guide actions to bring about desirable outcomes. It proposes that thoughts about the future begin by imagining what one wants to happen, which is thus initially optimistic. A second stage of such prospective thinking maps out how to bring that about, and this stage is marked by consideration of obstacles, requisite steps, and other potential problems, and so it tends toward cautious realism and even pessimism. Pragmatic prospection presents a form of teleology, in which brains can anticipate possible future events and use those cognitions to guide behavior. Toward that end, it invokes meaning, consistent with evidence that thinking about the future is highly meaningful. Prospection often has narrative structure, involving a series of events in a temporal sequence linked together by meaning. Emotion is useful for evaluating different simulations of possible future events and plans. Prospection is socially learned and rests on socially constructed scaffolding for the future (e.g., future dates). Planning is perhaps the most common form of prospection, and it exemplifies all aspects of our theory (including pragmatic utility, meaning, teleological and narrative structure, and sociality). Bracing for bad news and defensive pessimism are strategies that inspire adaptive responses to feared outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathleen D. Vohs
- Department of Marketing, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology, New York University and Department of Psychology, Universität Hamburg
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Fritzsche A, Schlier B, Oettingen G, Lincoln TM. Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions Increases Goal-Attainment in Individuals with Mild to Moderate Depression. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-015-9749-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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39
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Oettingen G, Kappes HB, Guttenberg KB, Gollwitzer PM. Self-regulation of time management: Mental contrasting with implementation intentions. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Oettingen
- Psychology Department; New York University; New York USA
- Psychology Department; University of Hamburg; Hamburg Germany
| | | | | | - Peter M. Gollwitzer
- Psychology Department; New York University; New York USA
- Psychology Department; University of Konstanz; Konstanz Germany
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Kappes A, Oettingen G. The emergence of goal pursuit: Mental contrasting connects future and reality. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2014.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Sevincer AT, Busatta PD, Oettingen G. Mental contrasting and transfer of energization. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2013; 40:139-52. [PMID: 24145296 DOI: 10.1177/0146167213507088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mental contrasting a desired future with present reality is a self-regulation strategy that fosters energization in line with a person's expectations of successfully attaining the desired future. We investigated whether physiological energization (measured by systolic blood pressure) elicited by mental contrasting a desired future of solving a given task transfers to effort in an unrelated task. As predicted, mental contrasting a desired future of excelling in an intelligence test (Study 1) and of writing an excellent essay (Study 2) triggered changes in energization that translated into physical effort in squeezing a handgrip (Study 1) and translated into mental effort in writing a get-well letter (Study 2). Results suggest that mental contrasting of solving one task triggers energization that may fuel effort for performing an unrelated task. Implications for intervention research are discussed.
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