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Using implementation intentions to overcome the effect of mood on risky behaviour
Thomas L Webb1, Paschal Sheeran, Peter Totterdell
1University of Sheffield, UK. t.webb@sheffield.ac.uk
The British Journal of Social Psychology
|June 13, 2012
Summary
Forming implementation intentions, or if-then plans, can prevent negative moods and arousal from increasing risky behavior. This strategy helps maintain risk awareness and decision-making, even under emotional influence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Negative moods and heightened arousal are known to increase engagement in risky behaviors.
- Understanding mechanisms to mitigate this link is crucial for behavioral regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if implementation intentions can disrupt the causal chain between mood states and risky decision-making.
- To examine the role of implementation intentions in moderating the effects of mood and arousal on risk-taking.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted. Participants formed implementation intentions (if-then plans) to manage moods or focus on risk factors.
- Mood induction and arousal manipulation were used, followed by assessments of willingness to engage in risky behaviors and performance on a gambling task.
Main Results:
- In Experiment 1, implementation intentions eliminated the effect of unpleasant moods on risk willingness.
- In Experiment 2, implementation intentions prevented arousal from increasing risky betting and improved risk awareness.
Conclusions:
- Implementation intentions serve as a strategic tool to decouple negative affective states from detrimental risk-taking.
- This planning strategy can enhance self-regulation by shielding cognitive processes from emotional interference.
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