Theory Database - Theory 53: Regulatory Fit Theory

Theory Database (prototype)

This is a searchable database of theories of behaviour change that have been formalised according to an Ontology-Based Modelling System.

For more information, see:

West, R., Godinho, C. A., Bohlen, L. C., Carey, R. N., Hastings, J., Lefevre, C. E., & Michie, S. (2019). Development of a formal system for representing behaviour-change theories. Nature human behaviour, 3(5), 526. doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0561-2.
Hale, J., Hastings, J., West, R., Lefevre, C. E., Direito, A., Connell Bohlen, L., Godinho, C., Anderson, N., Zink, S., Goarke, H., and Michie, S. (2020) An ontology-based modelling system (OBMS) for representing behaviour change theories applied to 76 theories [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. Wellcome Open Research.

Theory 53: Regulatory Fit Theory

Number of Constructs: 14
Number of Triples: 25

Theory triples

Regulatory fit positively influences Strength of engagement / motivation
Regulatory fit positively influences Value from fit
Regulatory fit positively influences Retrospective evaluations
Regulatory fit positively influences Prospective evaluations
Strength of engagement / motivation positively influences Value from fit
Value from fit positively influences Retrospective evaluations
Value from fit influences Value from worth
Value from fit positively influences Prospective evaluations
Value from worth positively influences Retrospective evaluations
Goal pursuit influences Decision-making / behaviour
Value from worth positively influences Prospective evaluations
Eagerness means type of Goal means
Vigilance means type of Goal means
Promotion focus type of Motivational orientation
Prevention focus type of Motivational orientation
Goal means influences (*) Regulatory fit
Motivational orientation influences (*) Regulatory fit
Motivational orientation part of Goal pursuit
Goal means part of Goal pursuit
Retrospective evaluations part of Goal pursuit
Prospective evaluations part of Goal pursuit
Value from worth part of Goal pursuit
Value from fit part of Goal pursuit
Strength of engagement / motivation part of Goal pursuit
Regulatory fit part of Goal pursuit

Theory illustration

Theory References

Higgins, T.E. (2000). Making a Good Decision: Value from Fit. American Psychologist, 55(11), 1217-1230.
Higgins, T.E. (2005). Value from Regulatory Fit. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(4), 209-213.