Testing the role of action and inaction anticipated regret on intentions and behaviour

• Published in: British journal of social psychology Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 407 - 425
• Main Authors: Sandberg, Tracy, Hutter, Russell, Richetin, Juliette, Conner, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Action; Adolescent; Adult; affective attitudes; anticipated regret; Anticipation, Psychological; Attitude; Attitudes; Behavior; behaviour; Emotions; Expectations; Female; Humans; Intention; Intentionality; intentions; Internal-External Control; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Planning; Regret; Theory of planned behavior; theory of planned behaviour; Young Adult; anticipated regret; behaviour; intentions; theory of planned behaviour; affective attitudes
• ISSN: 0144-6665; 2044-8309
• DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12141

Anticipated regret (AR) has been suggested as a useful addition to the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) that captures affective influences. However, previous research has generally (1) assessed the impact of AR in relation to one behaviour (action or inaction) when considering TPB variables in relation to the alternative behaviour, (2) not controlled for affective attitudes or past behaviour, and (3) examined only one or two behaviours. In two studies across several behaviours, the present research showed that even when controlling for affective attitudes, past behaviour, and other TPB variables towards action, action and inaction AR each added to the prediction of intentions across multiple behaviours. The two studies also showed that inaction regret was generally the stronger predictor, although action regret was important for some types of behaviour. Implications and issues for further research are discussed.