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Bas Verplanken

Publications and source records attributed to Bas Verplanken.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Beyond frequency: habit as mental construct.

Progress in habit theory can be made by distinguishing habit from frequency of occurrence, and using independent measures for these constructs. This proposition was investigated in three studies using a longitudinal, cross-sectional and experimental design on eating, mental habits and word processing, respectively. In Study 1, snacking habit and past snacking frequency independently predicted later snacking behaviour, while controlling for the theory of planned behaviour variables. Habit fully mediated the effect of past on later behaviour. In Study 2, habitual negative self-thinking and past frequency of negative self-thoughts independently predicted self-esteem and the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms. In Study 3, habit varied as a function of experimentally manipulated task complexity, while behavioural frequency was held constant. Taken together, while repetition is necessary for habits to develop, these studies demonstrate that habit should not be equated with frequency of occurrence, but rather should be considered as a mental construct involving features of automaticity, such as lack of awareness, difficulty to control and mental efficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Intention to consume seafood--the importance of habit.

The role of habit strength and past behaviour were studied in order to gain a better understanding of seafood consumption behaviour. A sample of Norwegian adults (N=1579) responded to a self-administered questionnaire about seafood consumption habits, past frequency of seafood consumption, and attitude towards and intention to eat seafood. Structural equation modelling revealed that past behaviour and habit, rather than attitudes, were found to explain differences in intention, indicating that forming intention does not necessarily have to be reasoned. The results also indicated that when a strong habit is present, the expression of an intention might be guided by the salience of past behaviour rather than by attitudes. The findings of this study might thus have consequences for dietary interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Value congruence and job satisfaction among nurses: a human relations perspective.

The relationship between job satisfaction and value congruence within four organizational value areas was studied among nurses at surgery wards. Congruence between perceived and desired human relations values and social climate independently determined attitudes toward the nurse's ward. Social climate was operationalized as the habit of chatting with colleagues, and was inversely related to time pressure. Ward attitudes predicted job satisfaction, although structural equation modeling suggested that human relations value congruence also predicted job satisfaction directly, in addition to its effect through ward attitudes. Human relations value congruence thus appeared as an important ingredient of person-organization fit in nursing.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Measuring implementation intentions in the context of the theory of planned behavior.

The usefulness of measuring implementation intentions in the context of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) was explored among 112 Norwegian college students. They responded to a questionnaire measuring past behavior, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intentions, implementation intentions, and actual performance of regular exercising and recycling of drinking cartons. Implementation intentions were measured using five items relating to recycling and four items relating to exercise, which showed satisfactory internal consistencies. Consistent with the main prediction, the presence of implementation intentions was related to performing the two behaviors, although behavioral intentions were the strongest determinant for both behaviors. The results suggest that the TPB may benefit from inclusion of the concept of implementation intentions to provide a more complete understanding of the psychological process in which motivation is translated into action.

Exercise↗
PubMed2002

Motivated decision making: effects of activation and self-centrality of values on choices and behavior.

Six studies examined the value-behavior relation and focused on motivational properties of values, the self, and value activation. Priming environmental values enhanced attention to and the weight of information related to those values, which resulted in environmentally friendly consumer choices. This only occurred if these values were central to the self-concept. Value-congruent choices were also found in response to countervalue behavior in an unrelated context. Donating behavior congruent with central altruistic values was found as a result of enhanced self-focus, thus demonstrating the importance of the self in the value-behavior relation. The external validity of the value-centrality measure and its distinction from attitudes were demonstrated in the prediction of voting. Values were thus found to give meaning to, energize, and regulate value-congruent behavior, but only if values were cognitively activated and central to the self.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predicting fruit consumption: cognitions, intention, and habits.

OBJECTIVE: To study predictors of fruit intake in a sample of 627 adults. DESIGN: Potential predictors of fruit intake were assessed at baseline, and fruit intake was assessed at two-week follow-up with self-administered questionnaires distributed by e-mail. SETTING: The study was conducted among Dutch adult members of an Internet research panel. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 627 adults aged 18-78. VARIABLES MEASURED: Attitudes, subjective norms, self-efficacy, expected pros and cons, habit strength, intention, and fruit intake. Fruit intake was assessed with a validated food-frequency questionnaire. ANALYSIS: Hierarchical linear and logistic regression analyses. Alpha < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Sex, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived pros, different self-efficacy expectations, and habit strength were significantly associated with the intention to eat two or more servings of fruit per day. Age, intentions, and habit strength were significant predictors of consumption of two or more servings of fruit per day. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The results confirm that Theory of Planned Behavior constructs predict fruit intake, and that habit strength and different self-efficacy expectations may be additional determinants relevant to fruit intake. Because habitual behavior is considered to be triggered by environmental cues, fruit promotion interventions should further explore environmental change strategies.

Adolescent↗