Which statement best describes implementation intentions?

Which statement best describes implementation intentions?

• A. A plan that focuses on past experiences rather than future actions.
• B. If-then plans linking cues to goal-directed responses; they automate responses to temptations.
• C. A form of punishment used for self-control failures.
• D. Mindfulness meditation aimed at observing cravings without acting.

Answer: (B)

Implementation intentions are specific plans that link a particular situation or cue to a chosen action you will take when that cue appears. They use an if-then structure: If the cue occurs, then I will perform the action. This setup helps by making the desired response more automatic, so you don’t have to rely on stopping yourself in the moment—your behavior is pre-programmed to unfold when the situation arises. In short, the cue triggers the pre-decided action, narrowing the gap between intending to act and actually acting, especially in tempting situations. This description captures the idea of using concrete situational cues to automate a goal-directed response. It’s not about past experiences, punishment, or mindfulness in this context, which are different strategies for self-control.

Implementation intentions are specific plans that link a particular situation or cue to a chosen action you will take when that cue appears. They use an if-then structure: If the cue occurs, then I will perform the action. This setup helps by making the desired response more automatic, so you don’t have to rely on stopping yourself in the moment—your behavior is pre-programmed to unfold when the situation arises. In short, the cue triggers the pre-decided action, narrowing the gap between intending to act and actually acting, especially in tempting situations.

This description captures the idea of using concrete situational cues to automate a goal-directed response. It’s not about past experiences, punishment, or mindfulness in this context, which are different strategies for self-control.