Harris et al., 2007: Affirming desired characteristics increased motivation to smoke less but did not change actual smoking behavior among adults one week later
Reference:
Harris, P. R., Mayle, K., Mabbott, L., & Napper, L. (2007). Self-affirmation reduces smokers' defensiveness to graphic on-pack cigarette warning labels. Health Psychology, 26(4), 437.
Download PDFSummary:
Smokers who first reflected on their desirable characteristics were more accepting of information about the health risks of smoking. They also reported greater motivation to smoke less 1-week later but no change in actual smoking.
Psychological Process:
What Desired Meaning is At Stake?
What is the Person Trying to Understand?
To See the Self as AdequateApproach to Desired Meaning
What about it?
Remedy Threats to Self-Integrity that Undermine FunctioningHow?
Psychological Question Addressed
Am I under threat, because I am doing something that harms my health?Am I under threat, because I am doing something that harms my health?Psychological Question Addressed
Am I under threat, because I am doing something that harms my health?Psychological Process 2:
Psychological Process 3:
Social Area:
Health
Intervention Technique:
Active reflection, values-affirmation