Action crisis and cost–benefit thinking: A cognitive analysis of a goal-disengagement phase

Brandstätter, Veronika; Schüler, Julia

doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2012.10.004

Cited by 163 publications

(139 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…As in Study 1, we measured traits that are important for self‐regulation and, therefore, we assume for self‐awareness and the identification of obstacles (pessimism: Carver & Scheier, ; mindfulness: for an overview, refer to Hoyle, ; rumination: Nolen‐Hoeksema et al ., ). We again assessed participants' experience of an action crisis (Brandstätter & Schüler, ) as a potential confounding third variable, which affected the identification of obstacles in Study 1. At the end of the study, participants provided some sociodemographic background information and were debriefed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Self–Awareness on the Identification of Goal–Related Obstacles

2020

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When individuals strive towards personal goals, they may encounter obstacles that could compromise their goal progress and pose a challenge to self‐regulation. Coping with obstacles first requires those obstacles to be identified. The purpose of the present studies was to apply an inter‐individual approach to this important, but insufficiently studied self‐regulatory aspect of goal striving. We therefore examined the role of self‐awareness, that is, paying attention to one's own feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, for the identification of goal‐related obstacles. We measured and manipulated self‐awareness in two correlational and two experimental studies (one of them preregistered) and asked participants to identify obstacles to their goals. All studies confirmed the hypothesis that individuals with higher levels of dispositional and situational self‐awareness identify more obstacles, both with regard to their idiosyncratic personal goals (Studies 1 and 2) and with regard to a goal in an assigned task during an experiment (Studies 3 and 4). The results indicate that self‐awareness plays a crucial role for identifying obstacles. We discuss the implications of our findings for personality and self‐regulation research.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Self–Awareness on the Identification of Goal–Related Obstacles

2020

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“…According to Brandstätter et al , individuals in such an ‘action crisis’ are caught between further goal-pursuit and goal-disengagement as a result of negatively valenced events related to setbacks and difficulties in goal-striving after considerable investments have already been made 165. This intrapsychic conflict shifts the cognitive orientation from an implemental and actional mindset facilitating volitional tasks such as goal-striving in the face of adversity to a deliberative mindset facilitating motivational tasks such as deliberating anew the desirability and feasibility of the focal or alternative goals 166.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a three-dimensional framework of centrally regulated and goal-directed exercise behaviour: a narrative review

2017

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The Central Governor Model (CGM) ignited a paradigm shift from concepts of catastrophic failure towards central regulation of exercise performance. However, the CGM has focused on the central integration of afferent feedback in homeostatic control. Accordingly, it neglected the important role of volitional self-regulatory control and the integration of affective components inherently attached to all physiological cues. Another limitation is the large reliance on the Gestalt phenomenon of perceived exertion. Thus, progress towards a comprehensive multidimensional model of perceived fatigability and exercise regulation is needed. Drawing on Gate Control Theory of pain, we propose a three-dimensional framework of centrally regulated and goal-directed exercise behaviour, which differentiates between sensory, affective and cognitive processes shaping the perceptual milieu during exercise. We propose that: (A) perceived mental strain and perceived physical strain are primary determinants of pacing behaviour reflecting sensory-discriminatory processes necessary to align planned behaviour with current physiological state, (B) core affect plays a primary and mediatory role in exercise and performance regulation, and its underlying two dimensions hedonicity and arousal reflect affective-motivational processes triggering approach and avoidance behaviour, and (C) the mindset-shift associated with an action crisis plays a primary role in volitional self-regulatory control reflecting cognitive-evaluative processes between further goal-pursuit and goal-disengagement. The proposed framework has the potential to enrich theory development in centrally regulated and goal-directed exercise behaviour by emphasising the multidimensional dynamic processes underpinning perceived fatigability and provides a practical outline for investigating the complex interplay between the psychophysiological determinants of pacing and performance during prolonged endurance exercise.

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“…In contrast, individuals are very often doubtful and disoriented when confronted with continuing setbacks (Brandstätter & Schüler, 2013).…”

Section: Research-article2013mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Struggle of Giving Up Personal Goals

Brandstätter

Herrmann

Schüler

2013

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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A critical phase in goal striving occurs when setbacks accumulate and goal disengagement becomes an issue. This critical phase is conceptualized as an action crisis and assumed to be characterized by an intrapsychic conflict in which the individual becomes torn between further goal pursuit and goal disengagement. Our theorizing converges with Klinger's conceptualization of goal disengagement as a process, rather than a discrete event. Two longitudinal field studies tested and found support for the hypothesis that an action crisis not only compromises an individual's psychological and physiological well-being, but also dampens the cognitive evaluation of the respective goal. In Study 3, marathon runners experiencing an action crisis in their goal of running marathons showed a stronger cortisol secretion and a lower performance in the race 2 weeks later. Results are interpreted in terms of action-phase-specific mindsets with a focus on self-regulatory processes in goal disengagement.

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Action crisis and cost–benefit thinking: A cognitive analysis of a goal-disengagement phase

Cited by 163 publications

References 38 publications

The Effect of Self–Awareness on the Identification of Goal–Related Obstacles

The Effect of Self–Awareness on the Identification of Goal–Related Obstacles

Towards a three-dimensional framework of centrally regulated and goal-directed exercise behaviour: a narrative review

The Struggle of Giving Up Personal Goals

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