This study explored within-person fluctuations in regulatory focus and strategy to shed light on the origin and causal direction of constructs in regulatory focus theory. I conceptualized and tested a dynamic model, which suggested that people adapt their strategies and state regulatory focus in the pursuit of regulatory fit and maximum performance. To test my expectations, I used a 3 (eagerness task incentive, vigilance task incentive, and neutral) X 2 (metacognition vs. no metacognition) repeated measures experimental design. Results suggest that, in response to environmental disruptions, people flexibly adapt their strategies but not their state regulatory focus. I highlight implications for research utilizing regulatory focus theory and provide practical recommendations.
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