title: From Fantasy to Action: Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) Improves Academic Performance in Children.
abstract: The current intervention tested whether a metacognitive self-regulatory strategy of goal pursuit can help economically disadvantaged children convert positive thoughts and images about their future into effective action. Mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) entails mental contrasting a desired future with relevant obstacles of reality and forming implementation intentions (if-then plans) specifying when and where to overcome those obstacles. Seventy-seven fifth graders from an urban middle school were randomly assigned to learn either MCII or a Positive Thinking control strategy. Compared to children in the control condition, children taught how to apply MCII to their academic wishes and concerns significantly improved their report card grades (η2= .07), attendance (η2= .05), and conduct (η2= .07). These findings suggest that MCII holds considerable promise for helping disadvantaged middle school children improve their academic performance.
authors: University of Pennsylvania.
authors: Angela Lee
authors: AL
authors: Duckworth
authors: University of Washington.
authors: Teri
authors: T
authors: Kirby
authors: New York University.
authors: Anton
authors: A
authors: Gollwitzer
authors: New York University.
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Oettingen
keywords: MCII; achievement; adolescence; goals; intervention; mental contrasting with implementation intentions; motivation; self-regulation