When to begin? Regulatory focus and initiating goal pursuit

The authors propose that a prevention focus fosters preferences to initiate action earlier than does a promotion focus. Data from four studies either measuring or manipulating regulatory focus support this proposal. Participants in a prevention focus preferred initiating academic (Studies 1 and 2) and nonacademic (Study 3) actions sooner than did participants in a promotion. focus. Participants working through a set of anagrams solved those that were prevention framed before those that were promotion fr-a-rued (Study 4). Moreover; regulatory focus and perceived task valence each accounted for unique variance in participants' task-initiation preferences (Study 3). The findings' implications are discussed for task choice, susceptibility to distraction, and other aspects of self-regulation.