The Role of Deliberative Versus Implemental Mindsets in Time Prediction and Task Accomplishment

Abstract

The Model of Action Phases ( Gollwitzer, 1990 , 2012 ) distinguishes an implemental mindset evoked by planning goal-directed actions, from a deliberative mindset evoked by pondering pros/cons of adopting a particular goal. The present research demonstrates that mindsets affect time predictions. In Study 1 (N = 151), participants in an implemental mindset made shorter time predictions with respect to completing personal goals than participants in a deliberative mindset. In Study 2 (N = 78), we tested a mediating mechanism for the mindset effect by varying the motivation to return a report. The mindset effect was replicated in the low- but not in the high-motivation condition with participants in an implemental mindset returning the report earlier, and being as accurate in their predictions as participants in a deliberative mindset. Results indicate that an implemental (vs. deliberative) mindset increases motivation and therefore leads to shorter, but equally biased time predictions.

A self-regulatory approach to rational decisions: The implemental mindset optimizes economic decision making in situations requiring belief updating

“…Accordingly, it was impressive that under restricted autonomy decision makers in the present study benefitted from the implemental mindset, presumably since they experienced a boost of achievement motivation in these situations and a deeper processing of available information. Research by Brandstätter et al () fits quite well in this line of argument. These researchers investigated the effects of different mindsets on how early participants acted on a personal goal (returning a report).…”

“…There were several explanations for our findings. Previous research that investigated decision processes through eye‐tracking (Rahn et al, ) found indicators of increased achievement motivation after the induction of the implemental mindset (see also Brandstätter et al, ). Individuals in an implemental state of mind showed a higher number of fixations of all goal‐relevant information in lottery‐choice tasks (probabilities and lottery outcomes) than participants in the deliberative mindset, especially when decisions were rather difficult (Rahn et al, ).…”

“…In support of striving for this goal, individuals in an implemental mindset tend to exhibit selective and biased information processing by concentrating on information on the feasibility of this goal, while ignoring information about the desirability and information that might hint at failing in goal striving (Gollwitzer, ). Cognitions in an implemental mindset are characterized by optimism and confidence in own skills (e.g., Gagné & Lydon, ; Hügelschäfer & Achtziger, ), which leads to an increased motivation to act on the respective goal (e.g., Brandstätter, Giesinger, Job, & Frank, ; Taylor & Gollwitzer, ). Recently, Rahn et al () found eye‐tracking evidence suggesting increased levels of achievement motivation in the implemental mindset.…”

The role of motivation and volition in economic decisions: Evidence from eye movements and pupillometry

“…This finding was aligned with our hypothesis of slower decisions in the deliberative mindset due to more extensive information search in this state of mind. It is also consistent with prior evidence of slower goal accomplishment in the deliberative mindset (relative to the implemental mindset; V. Brandstätter et al, ). It should be noted, though, that the task in the study by V. Brandstätter et al (; return a report to the experimenter) was to be accomplished within a much longer period of time, that is, within 2 weeks.…”

“…It is also consistent with prior evidence of slower goal accomplishment in the deliberative mindset (relative to the implemental mindset; V. Brandstätter et al, ). It should be noted, though, that the task in the study by V. Brandstätter et al (; return a report to the experimenter) was to be accomplished within a much longer period of time, that is, within 2 weeks. Thus, these findings should be linked to our relatively fast economic decisions only with caution.…”