Working for the Best or Bracing for the Worst? Approach and Avoidance Motivation in Planning

Even though planning is generally helpful in goal pursuit, people do not always choose to plan. The inclination plan might depend on whether we focus what seek approach or avoid. In two pre-registered experiments, tested the relative effect of versus avoidance motivation willingness (total N=1349). With outcome framing as experimental manipulation, participants were randomly assigned either an condition, and then indicated their study activities before upcoming exam. Contrary predictions, results showed no significant difference depending condition experiment. There was mixed support for importance anticipated affect perceived distance process mechanisms: While Experiment 1 that who experienced day exam closer time more willing preparations (regardless condition), found mediational effects through affect. 2, intensity mediated association between plan, where induced predicted greater upon achieving goals, thus than motivation. However, such without a main remain ambiguous should be interpreted with caution. Seen whole, suggest different types may previously thought: They influence this aspect striving.