Mental Simulation

Mental simulations and implementation intentions are two
self-regulation techniques that further successful goal attainment.
The present research examined whether the two mindsets associated
with the two techniques differed regarding processing of
information. The first two studies indicated that mental simulation
induces a mindset associated with more open-minded processing of
information, while implementation intentions induce a mindset
associated with more closed-minded processing of information. The
final two studies investigated activation levels of mental
representations of mental simulation and implementation intention
via a lexical decision task. Forming implementation intentions was
found to result in heightened activation of both situational cues
and behavioral responses compared to mental simulation. The
implications of these findings are discussed on the basis of the
model of action phases.