Researchers say the contagion effect may occur because we mimic or adopt the behavior of people we hold in regard and that it should be taken into account when trying to counteract obesity.

Goal contagion is not only different from behavior imitation in the activated objects and the extent of complexity, but also different from observational learning in the conscious level.

As the complement of conscious goal pursuit, the researches about goal contagion are helpful to understand people's behavior further.