Summary
This chapter presents the Rubicon model of action phases, which posits that effective behaviour change requires different psychological interventions depending on whether individuals are in pre-decisional (goal-setting) or post-decisional (goal-implementation) phases. The authors argue that pre-decisional individuals employ deliberative mindsets focused on weighing options, whilst post-decisional individuals employ implemental mindsets focused on task execution. The paper identifies implementation intentions—specific if-then plans linking contextual cues to goal-directed actions—as a powerful self-regulation strategy for promoting sustained goal striving across both phases.
Regional applicability
This is a theoretical psychology paper with no specific geographic focus or agricultural context, and thus has limited direct applicability to United Kingdom farming systems or soil health research. However, the behaviour-change frameworks described may have indirect relevance to interventions promoting adoption of sustainable farming practices or dietary behaviour change at the population level.
Key measures
Psychological constructs including deliberative versus implemental mindsets, goal-setting efficacy, and implementation intention formation
Outcomes reported
The paper describes psychological mechanisms underlying behaviour change, distinguishing between pre-decisional (motivational) and post-decisional (volitional) phases of goal pursuit and identifying implementation intentions as a self-regulation strategy.
Topic tags
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