Abstract
The factors that motivate commitment to behavioral change (e.g., quitting smoking) are important in understanding self-regulation
processes. The current research examines how an individual’s motivational orientation during deliberation affects the likelihood
that they will commit to change. Building on the insights of regulatory mode theory (Higgins et al. in Advances in experimental
social psychology. Academic Press, New York, vol 35, pp 293–344, 2003), we propose that increased commitment to change can result from increased locomotion motivation in the deliberation phase.
Three studies provide evidence that increased commitment to change is related to locomotion motivation arising either from
a chronic orientation or from a movement-focused deliberation tactic that intensifies that orientation. Although locomotion
motivation is typically associated with goal pursuit, the current work highlights the impact that locomotion motivation can
have on commitment to change in the initial deliberation phase.
processes. The current research examines how an individual’s motivational orientation during deliberation affects the likelihood
that they will commit to change. Building on the insights of regulatory mode theory (Higgins et al. in Advances in experimental
social psychology. Academic Press, New York, vol 35, pp 293–344, 2003), we propose that increased commitment to change can result from increased locomotion motivation in the deliberation phase.
Three studies provide evidence that increased commitment to change is related to locomotion motivation arising either from
a chronic orientation or from a movement-focused deliberation tactic that intensifies that orientation. Although locomotion
motivation is typically associated with goal pursuit, the current work highlights the impact that locomotion motivation can
have on commitment to change in the initial deliberation phase.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s11031-011-9239-4
- Authors
- Abigail A. Scholer, Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- E. Tory Higgins, Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Journal Motivation and Emotion
- Online ISSN 1573-6644
- Print ISSN 0146-7239