Theory Building, Replication, and Behavioral Priming: Where Do We Need to Go From Here?. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Locke, Edwin A.
• Is Part Of: Perspectives on psychological science. Volume 10:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 414
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: goal setting -- self-efficacy -- priming; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1177/1745691614567231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-6916

Abstract

This article suggests that the field of behavioral priming, which is basically a technique, is in need of theory building. Guidelines from successful theory building by induction in the realm of conscious motivation (namely, goal setting and self-efficacy) are suggested. The process would include replication with variation, identifying the logical relation between a given prime and the action in question, discovering moderators and mediators, and clarifying the relationship between the conscious mind and the subconscious.