The computational optimality of implementation intentions for goal pursuit

Resumen

Implementation Intentions are precise IF-THEN plans about when and where in the future one will initiate goal pursuit. A volume of evidence encompassing social, cognitive, and applied psychology has established Implementation Intentions as an effective strategy for goal pursuit over simply intending to pursue a goal (Goal Intentions). In this Perspective, we propose a computational framework for intention formation (Implementation vs. Goal vs. No Intention) and how it impacts goal pursuit. Our framework explains a broad range of findings within the intention formation literature including seemingly contradictory ones, while making novel empirically testable predictions. Importantly, it establishes normative conditions under which forming Implementation (vs. Goal) Intentions is an optimal strategy considering its benefits and costs. Finally, current formal models of value-based decision-making rarely consider ecological timescales of human intentions. Interfacing with this work, we lay the groundwork for a neurocognitive understanding of intention formation and its impact on goal pursuit.

Áreas y palabras clave

Cómo citar (APA 7)

Katyal, S., Grünbaum, T., & Kyllingsbæk, S. (2025). The computational optimality of implementation intentions for goal pursuit. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/v4wqc_v1