The first mass-participation experiment to unravel what makes a new year's resolution a successful step towards self-betterment - or more commonly, a dismal failure of willpower - is launched by psychologists today. Volunteers taking part in the study can take comfort from knowing that no matter how badly they fail to keep their resolutions they will help psychologists identify the best, and worst, techniques for motivating people to change their lives for the better.
Richard Wiseman, a professor of psychology at Hertfordshire University, hopes to enrol around 10,000 people in the online experiment.
At regular intervals during the next six months those who sign up for the experiment will be invited to give updates on how well they are doing. "We know millions of people around the world will be trying to keep to new year's resolutions, but we don't have a clue what is the best advice to give them to succeed," said Professor Wiseman. "We want to find out what's the best way to go about it."
Most of the few studies conducted on new year's resolutions have focused on a very small number of people. The latest experiment, online at newyearscience.co.uk, is intended to attract volunteers of different ages from around the world.
The psychologists have identified five tips to help keep resolutions. The first is to make only one resolution: if you are an obese, misanthropic, SUV-driving smoker, Prof Wiseman recommends picking just one aspect of life to improve, to increase your chances of success.
They also suggest planning your resolution in advance, instead of waiting until New Year's Eve. The extra time will allow you to reflect on what you really want to achieve. Another tip is to avoid repeating a previous resolution, or at least try a different technique to keep it. So if trying to lose half a stone did not work last year, plan to exercise more instead. "If people think they can do it they probably can, but if they've already tried and failed, their self-belief will be low," Prof Wiseman said. The remaining tips include keeping resolutions specific and rewarding yourself by buying a new book or CD if you manage to lose a few pounds or cut down on smoking.
The most common new year's resolutions focus on improving health, either by eating sensibly, exercising more, or cutting out smoking. "By a long way, stopping smoking is the hardest, because there are physiological responses involved, it's an addiction," said Prof Wiseman.