The Situated Assessment Method (SAM2): establishing individual differences in habitual behavior

Dutriaux, L. , Clark, N. E., Papies, E. K. , Scheepers, C. and Barsalou, L. W. (2023) The Situated Assessment Method (SAM2): establishing individual differences in habitual behavior. PLoS ONE, 18(6), e0286954. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286954) (PMID:37347753) (PMCID:PMC10287018)

Abstract

From the perspectives of grounded, situated, and embodied cognition, we have developed a new approach for assessing individual differences. Because this approach is grounded in two dimensions of situatedness—situational experience and the Situated Action Cycle—we refer to it as the Situated Assessment Method (SAM2). Rather than abstracting over situations during assessment of a construct (as in traditional assessment instruments), SAM2 assesses a construct in situations where it occurs, simultaneously measuring factors from the Situated Action Cycle known to influence it. To demonstrate this framework, we developed the SAM2 Habitual Behavior Instrument (SAM2 HBI). Across three studies with a total of 442 participants, the SAM2 HBI produced a robust and replicable pattern of results at both the group and individual levels. Trait-level measures of habitual behavior exhibited large reliable individual differences in the regularity of performing positive versus negative habits. Situational assessments established large effects of situations and large situation by individual interactions. Several sources of evidence demonstrated construct and content validity for SAM2 measures of habitual behavior. At both the group and individual levels, these measures were associated with factors from the Situated Action Cycle known to influence habitual behavior in the literature (consistency, automaticity, immediate reward, long-term reward). Regressions explained approximately 65% of the variance at the group level and a median of approximately 75% at the individual level. SAM2 measures further exhibited well-established interactions with personality measures for self-control and neuroticism. Cognitive-affective processes from the Situated Action Cycle explained nearly all the variance in these interactions. Finally, a composite measure of habitualness established habitual behaviors at both the group and individual levels. Additionally, a composite measure of reward was positively related to the composite measure of habitualness, increasing with self-control and decreasing with neuroticism.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Barsalou, Professor Lawrence and Clark, Miss Naomi and Scheepers, Dr Christoph and Dutriaux, Mr Leo and Papies, Dr Esther
• Authors: Dutriaux, L., Clark, N. E., Papies, E. K., Scheepers, C., and Barsalou, L. W.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience; College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Journal Name: PLoS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• ISSN (Online): 1932-6203
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 Dutriaux et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS ONE 18(6):e0286954
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
308165		Institutional Translation Partnership Award	Gerard Graham	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	219390/Z/19/Z	MVLS - College Senior Management
300426		The psychology of sugary drinks: The role of consumption and reward simulations	Esther Papies	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/R005419/1	Psychology
306403		Using consumption and reward simulations to create desire for plant-based foods	Esther Papies	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/T011343/1	Psychology