ABSTRACT

In the course of normal human activity, behavior usually flows more or less effortlessly, as plans and intentions are formulated and carried out, and new ones easily take their place. Though the carrying-out of behavioral sequences is often relatively “mindless”, in the sense of not being very carefully monitored (see Bandura et al., this volume), there typically is a coherent underlying structure to the behavior. Even when problems occur, and goals are unattainable for one reason or another (either temporarily or more permanently), people usually rebound from these obstacles quickly, readjusting their sights on new goals, and starting off again.