Think about a goal you want to achieve and what you need to do to attain it. Chapter 7 discusses the theory of trying in relation to weight loss, but I would like you to pick another behaviour, like giving up a vice (e.g., smoking, drinking, speeding, etc) or doing more of something you feel you should do (studing for a final exam, eating healthier, saving money. etc).
The constructs from the Theory of Trying (see page 288 of the text) are listed in the Table below. The question for each construct is designed to help you understand the meaning and think about the factors that impact your goal acheivement. First, decide on a goal and write it at the top of the table. Then, answer each of the questions in relation to that goal (scale is -3 … -2 … -1 … 0 … 1 … 2 … 3) and briefly explain your answers.
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Write your goal here ________________ |
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Act of trying Did you try to (your goal) last week? (Y/N) |
Answer ____ Brief Expanation: |
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Intentions to try I intend to try to (goal) next week? (-3 unlikely to +3 likely) |
Answer ____ Brief Expanation: |
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Frequency of past trying Have you tied to (goal) so far this year? (-3 not at all to +3 all the time) |
Answer ____ Brief Expanation: |
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Recency of past trying Did you try to (goal) last week? (yes/no) |
Answer ____ Brief Expanation: |
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Attitude towards trying My trying to (goal) during the next week would make me feel (-3 bad to +3 good)
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Answer ____ Brief Expanation: |
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Social norms toward trying Most people who are important to me think that I should try to (goal) during the next week. (-3 unlikely to +3 likely) |
Answer ____ Brief Expanation: |
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Attitudes toward success My trying and succeding to (goal) would make me feel (-3 bad to +3 good) |
Answer ____ Explanation should include beliefs about consequences of success.
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Expectations of success Assuming you try to (goal), how likely is it you will actually (goal)? (-3 unlikely to +3 likely) |
Answer ____ Brief Expanation:
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Attitudes toward failure My trying, but failing to (goal) would make me feel (-3 bad to +3 good) |
Answer ____ Explanation should include beliefs about consequences of failure.
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Expectations of failure Assuming you try to (goal), how likely is it you will fail to (goal)? (-3 unlikely to +3 likely) |
Answer ____ Brief Expanation:
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Attitude toward process of trying My trying to (your goal) during the next week, regardless of whether or not I acurally succeed at the goal, would make me feel (-3 bad to +3 good) |
Answer ____ Explanation should include beliefs about consequences of the process of trying. |
Using the Theory of Trying, break down the process of trying to think strategically about how to succeed.
What do you need to do to best enhance your change of success?
What are the most important impediments you face?
Jermaine Byrant
Nicole Johnson
OVER
RATING
YEARS
