Bridging the Gap: Understanding the Intention-Behavior Discrepancy

The human mind is a complex and fascinating entity, capable of forming intentions and setting goals with remarkable clarity. However, as many of us have experienced firsthand, there often exists a puzzling gap between what we intend to do and what we actually end up doing. This phenomenon, known as the intention-behavior gap, has long intrigued psychologists and researchers seeking to unravel the mysteries of human behavior. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of this discrepancy, exploring its underlying causes, implications for everyday life, and potential strategies for bridging this divide. Join us on a journey through the complexities of the human psyche as we seek to shed light on why our best intentions sometimes fall short in translating into action.

Introduction: Why We Don’t Do What We Want to Do

The intention-behavior gap refers to the phenomenon where individuals may have the intention to engage in a particular behavior but fail to actually perform that behavior. This gap is a central issue in health psychology and behavioral sciences, as it challenges the assumption that intentions lead directly to actions. Despite a sincere intention to engage in a particular behavior, individuals often struggle to translate their intentions into actions.

Several motivation theories refer to this gap as primary area of focus. Most people have desires to succeed. Generally, they have an idea of what they need to do. However, somewhere between the intention and behavior there is a short circuit and the desired behavior change never occurs.

Understanding the intention-behavior gap is crucial for developing effective strategies to bridge this divide, such as implementation intentions and behavioral interventions. By addressing this discrepancy, psychologists and researchers aim to help individuals align their intentions with their actions, ultimately fostering positive behavioral change and personal development.

History of the Intention-Behavior Gap

Nearly two millenniums ago, the poet Ovid (43 BC – 17 AD) mourned, “I am dragged along by a strange new force. Desire and reason are pulling in different directions. I see the right way and approve it, but follow the wrong” (Ovid, 2004). Aristotle asked, in De Motu Animalium, “How does it happen that thinking is sometimes followed by action and sometimes not, sometimes by motion, sometimes not” (Primavesi, Rapp, & Morison, 2023)?

Aristotle referred to two opposing character traits:

• Akrasia: Akrasia involves a disconnect between one’s rational thoughts and actual behavior, leading to actions that are inconsistent with their own values or goals.
• Enkrateia: Enkrateia is characterized by discipline, inner strength, and a sense of autonomy over one’s actions and decisions.

Alfred R. Mele explains, that akrasia “is, very roughly, a trait of character exhibited in uncompelled, intentional behavior that goes against the agent’s best or better judgment” In contrast, Enkrateia “is, again roughly, a trait of character exhibited in behavior that conforms with one’s best or better judgment in the face of temptation to act to the contrary” (Mele, 1995).

Motivation theories in psychology try to answer the Aristotle’s question: “How does it happen that thinking is sometimes followed by action and sometimes not?” Basically, at the heart of this profound question is that intention does not equal behavior. We can intend to change, believe we desire to change, and yet, continue doing what we have always done.

Elements that Interfere with Successful Behavior Change

We are far from simplistic in our organization. Therefore, pointing to a single element that interferes with successfully employing intentions is not possible. Several elements that we can mostly categorize under either biological disposition, socially learned behavior, or cognitive processes combine to ultimately lead to the end behavior or behaviors.

Researchers, therapists, and lovers furiously try to identify links to bridge the intention-behavior gap. Perhaps, we endlessly ponder, if we did this or that, we could help someone else achieve the change that they (and we) desire. I have spent a better part of a decade trying to understand the missing piece between my son’s intention to succeed and his continual return to self-destructive addictions.

The Failure

In high-school I ran track. I set a goal for a certain time in the 800 meter run. In addition, I mapped out the track, decided what time I needed for each 200 meter mark in the race. I planned to give an extra push at the halfway mark, a point where I always experienced fatigue. As part of my preparation, I ran the race in my head a thousand times. I traced my path on a small pencil drawn track. Mentally marking the times.

On the day of the race, I felt a rush of excitement. With the bang of the starter pistol, I was off. My plan was working. I met my first two 200 meter split times. However, when I planned my kick at the 400 meter mark, I was exhausted. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t push myself for the last forty-five seconds of the race.

After the race, I pondered, “why couldn’t I push myself through the pain? It was only forty-five seconds of pain. I failed.”

My answer will forever be hidden in the cells and neurons of my body. Throughout my life, I have succeeded at some goals and failed at others. Our inner world of intentions, purposes, goals, hopes, and desires is a complicated network of processes. Some of these processes are internal, others are external. Accordingly, the intention-behavior gap is a complex concept worthy of examination.

Internal Conflicts

Internal conflicts can significantly interfere with achieving behavioral intentions by creating a tug-of-war within the individual’s mind. These conflicts typically arise when there are competing goals, desires, or beliefs that make it challenging to align one’s actions with their intended behavior.

For example, a person may have a strong intention to exercise regularly for better health but also feel a desire to relax and watch TV after a long day at work. This conflicting desire leads to an internal struggle between the immediate gratification of watching TV and the long-term goal of improving health through exercise.

When faced with such internal conflicts, individuals may experience cognitive dissonance, emotional distress, or decision paralysis, making it difficult to take decisive action towards their intended behavior. The conflicting thoughts and emotions create uncertainty and ambivalence, weakening their commitment to follow through on their intentions. As a result, the individual may procrastinate, rationalize inaction, or give in to short-term impulses instead of persisting towards their desired goal.

Moreover, internal conflicts can undermine self-control and weaken motivation by draining mental resources needed to resist temptations and stay focused on the intended behavior. The ongoing battle between conflicting desires can lead to feelings of frustration, guilt, or self-doubt, further hindering progress towards achieving behavioral intentions.

In order to overcome internal conflicts and enhance the likelihood of translating intentions into action, individuals can benefit from strategies such as identifying underlying values and priorities, practicing mindfulness to increase self-awareness and emotional regulation, setting clear priorities and establishing achievable steps towards their goals. By addressing internal conflicts proactively and developing effective coping mechanisms, individuals can navigate these challenges more effectively and improve their chances of successfully implementing their behavioral intentions.

See Cognitive Dissonance for more on this topic

Environmental Influences

Environmental influences play a significant role in shaping behavior. These obstacles interfere with accomplishing behavioral intentions in several ways. These external factors can create barriers, distractions, or temptations that derail an intended course of action. Here are some ways:

• Physical Environment: The physical surroundings where individuals live, work, or spend time can either support or hinder their efforts to follow through on behavioral intentions. For instance, a cluttered workspace may make it challenging to focus on tasks, while a well-organized environment can enhance productivity.
• Social Environment: Interactions with family members, friends, colleagues, or social circles can influence behavior and adherence to intentions. Peer pressure, social norms, and expectations from others may conflict with individual goals and values, making it difficult to stay committed.
• Availability of Resources: Limited access to resources such as time, money, information, or support services can act as obstacles to carrying out intended actions. A lack of financial resources may prevent someone from joining a gym or purchasing healthy food options despite intending to improve their fitness and nutrition habits.
• Stressful Situations: High levels of stress or emotional turmoil in the environment can disrupt cognitive processes and self-regulation abilities needed for goal pursuit. Stressors like work deadlines, family conflicts, or unexpected life events may divert attention away from planned behaviors.
• Cues and Triggers: Environmental cues associated with unhealthy habits or conflicting behaviors can trigger automatic responses that sabotage one’s intentionality. For example, seeing a vending machine full of sugary snacks might prompt an individual trying to eat healthier foods to give in to temptation.
• Situational Factors: Changes in routine, unexpected events, or disruptions in one’s daily schedule can throw off plans and lead to deviations from intended behaviors. For instance, traveling for work may disrupt one’s exercise routine and dietary habits, making it challenging to maintain consistency.

Strategies for Overcoming Environmental Factors

In order to overcome environmental influences that interfere with achieving behavioral intentions, individuals can benefit from strategies such as creating supportive environments by organizing spaces conducive to desired actions (e.g., setting up a designated workout area at home), surrounding themselves with positive influencers who encourage goal attainment (e.g., joining a fitness group), establishing routines and structures that minimize distractions (e.g., creating daily schedules), anticipating potential barriers ahead of time (e.g., preparing healthy snacks when traveling), and utilizing tools like reminders, alarms, or visual aids to reinforce commitment towards their goals. By recognizing the impact of environmental influences on behavior and implementing proactive measures for managing these factors, individuals can enhance their ability to stay aligned with their intended actions despite external challenges.

Lack of Self-Regulatory Skills

Isabelle Bauer and Roy Baumeister explain, “Successful self-regulation allows people to subordinate short-term temptations to long term goals, to trade the pleasure of immediate gratification for delayed rewards, and to tolerate the frustration that can be associated with persisting in the face of challenges…” (Baumeister & Bauer, 2017).

Lack of regulatory skills can interfere with achieving behavioral intentions by impeding the ability to effectively manage one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. Regulatory skills encompass self-control, emotional regulation, impulse management, and the ability to make decisions aligned with long-term goals. Without these skills, individuals may struggle to resist immediate gratification, control impulsive behaviors, and stay focused on their intentions. This can lead to inconsistent or counterproductive actions, making it challenging to achieve behavioral intentions. Moreover, the absence of regulatory skills may result in heightened susceptibility to external influences, further undermining the pursuit of desired behaviors. Ultimately, the inability to regulate one’s behavior can significantly hinder the attainment of behavioral goals.

Self-Regulation is a Skill

Often, we refer to self-regulation as an innate strength. However, research often refers to it as a skill. Notably, a skill is something we can learn. Steve Southwick and Dennis Charney wrote: “The ability to delay gratification is an essential skill for success in life” (Southwick & Charney, 2018). Daniel Goleman describes emotional intelligence as the ability “to motivate oneself and persist in the face of frustrations; to control impulse and delay gratification, to regulate one’s mood and keep distress from swamping the ability to think, to empathize and hope.” Goleman aptly describes this as “marshaling emotions in the service of a goal” (Goleman, 2005).

Basically, we can learn skills that aide self-regulation. Or we can develop habits that make self-regulation nearly impossible. Bridging the intention-behavior gap is a science of planning, resources, and know how, not a simple practice of will.

Habits and Bridging the Intention-Behavior Gap

Habits seem to play a significant role in bridging the gap. The thing about habits is they demand much less resources. Once a behavioral habit is established it takes energy and intention to extinguish it. This works for and against us, depending on the nature of the habit. Susan David, an award-winning psychologist affiliated with Harvard Medical School, wrote: “we want to direct our behavior toward our values—if we want to reach the master-class level of emotional agility—we should transform our intentional behaviors into habits, making them so deeply ingrained that we no longer have to be ‘intentional’ about them at all” (David, 2016).

Once we make a behavior a habit then intention is moot. Self-discipline goes out the door. We just routinely perform the behavior. Most of our larger goals are beyond a simple habit. However, reaching that higher level order is typically accomplished by building a structure of smaller habits. The habits then create the environment necessary for the larger goals to come into fruition.

Perhaps, the younger me didn’t need cognitive games to achieve my time goal in the 800 meter race. Maybe I needed better habits of nutrition, practice, and race time preparation.

Associated Concepts

• Theory of Planned Behavior: The theory of planned behavior emphasizes the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on the formation of behavioral intentions and subsequent actions.
• Self-Regulation Theory: Self-regulation theory encompasses processes such as goal setting, self-monitoring, and self-reinforcement, which are relevant to understanding and potentially overcoming the gap.
• Behavioral Control Theory: This theory provides a framework that explains how individuals regulate their behavior to achieve specific goals. It’s based on the idea that people have internal mechanisms that monitor and adjust their actions to maintain a desired state.
• Cognitive Dissonance: cognitive dissonance theory explores the discomfort that arises from conflicting cognitions, which may contribute to discrepancies between intentions and behaviors.
• Executive Functions: These are a set of cognitive processes that are necessary for the cognitive control of behavior, including working memory, flexible thinking, and inhibitory control.
• Motivation Theories: Psychology researchers and professionals have proposed dozens of motivation theories aimed at uncovering the causes of behavioral success and failure. Psychology Fanatic has written on many of these intriguing theories.
• Stages of Change: Carlos DiClemente proposes that change occurs over a series of stages. Intentions best fits into his contemplation stage of change.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

In exploring the intention-behavior gap, we have journeyed through the complexities that define human motivation and action. From the ancient musings of philosophers like Aristotle to contemporary psychological theories, it is clear that understanding why our intentions often falter in the face of action requires a multi-faceted approach. As we’ve seen, this discrepancy is not merely an individual struggle; it encompasses intricate interactions between internal conflicts, environmental influences, and self-regulatory skills. By dissecting these elements, we can begin to unravel how best to align our aspirations with actions—transforming mere intentions into tangible outcomes.

Ultimately, bridging the intention-behavior gap is about more than just recognizing its existence; it’s about implementing effective strategies for change that resonate on personal and societal levels. The insights gleaned from this exploration underscore the importance of fostering environments conducive to positive behavior while enhancing our self-regulation capabilities. As we move forward in addressing these challenges, let us harness this understanding as a catalyst for personal development and collective growth within communities. In doing so, we empower ourselves not only to dream but also to actualize those dreams—turning intention into meaningful action that shapes our lives for the better.

Last Update: August 21, 2025

References:

Baumeister, Roy F.; Bauer, Isabelle M. (2017). Self-Regulatory Strength. K. D. Vohs, & R. F. Baumeister (Eds.), Handbook of Self-Regulation: Third Edition: Research, Theory, and Applications. The Guilford Press; Third edition.
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David, Susan (2016). Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life. Avery; First Edition.
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Goleman, Daniel (2005). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.
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Mele, Alfred R. (1995). Autonomous Agents: From Self-Control to Autonomy. Oxford University Press.
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Ovid (2004). Metamorphoses.
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Primavesi, Oliver; Rapp, Christof; Morison, Benjamin (2023). Aristotle, De motu animalium: Text and Translation. Oxford University Press.
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Southwick, Steven, Charney, Dennis (2018) Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges. Cambridge University Press; 2 edition.
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