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behavior
Being asked about a behavior makes you more likely to do it.
Asking someone about their intention to perform a future behavior can influence the likelihood of that behavior, but the outcome depends on context and frequency.
While a single instance of questioning intent often increases the likelihood of an action, repeated questioning can lead to a 'polarization effect' that decreases the likelihood of the behavior.
Your own intentions can be manipulated by a simple question.
Where this comes from
- Study
- Morwitz, Johnson, and Schmittlein, 1993
- What the check found
- The definition is incomplete because it ignores the conditions under which the effect reverses (e.g., repeated measurements).
- Confidence
- Solid, with limits
Related
One of these every day, and every one names the study it came from. When a finding is contested, it says so.