Structural Equation Modeling of Determinants of Implementation Intentions

Gärling, T., & Fujii, S. Structural equation modeling of determinants of implementation intentions. Göteborg Psychological Reports, 1999, 29, No. 4. The hypothesis is proposed that the formation of an implementation intention or planning is causally related to behavioral intention and perceived behavioral control whereas, in accordance with the theory of planned behavior (I. Ajzen, 1985, 1991), behavioral intention is assumed to be causally related to attitude and perceived behavioral control. Indices of attitude towards the behavior, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention, and planning intention were constructed from 192 undergraduates ́ ratings of descriptions of two fictitious situations in which the target behavior was varied with respect to benefit and actual behavioral control. Structural equation modeling based on the covariances between the measures yielded an acceptable fit of the proposed model including a causal path from attitude to perceived behavioral control. The results are consistent with and extend the findings in several recent studies showing that inducing an implementation intention increases the likelihood that a behavior is performed.