PSY 348 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17: Psy
10 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
PSY 348 – Psychology of Self Control
Reading #17 – April 10, 2018
Self-Affirmation Reduces Smokers’ Defensiveness to Graphic On-Pack Cigarette Warning Labels | Harris
et al. (2007)
Abstract and Intro
- Test whether smokers respond defensively to graphic images in regards to smoking
- Self-affirmation incr ratings of images on threatening and personally relevant
a. Can promote less defensive responding about health risks of smoking
- Debate about whether graphic images on cig packs are effective in getting people to quit
a. Little experimental data on topic
- Evidence that those most at risk act defensively ultimately reject material and are least
persuaded
- Potential issue w/ graphic warnings promote concern w/ fear ctrl not danger ctrl
- Self-Affirmation Theory (SAT) ppl motivated to protect sense of self integrity
a. Involves thinking about affirming & sustaining valued self-images
b. Care about global sense of self worth and integ4rity
c. Motive aroused by threatening material, satisfied when respond defensively
d. If self image affirmed in domain imptnt to person, should be less likely to process personally
relevant but threatening info defensively
- Contribution to existing knowledge
a. Prev research restrict to investigation w/ threats novel to patients, this test if can reduce
defensiveness when person has expectations
b. Prev rsrch suggest self affirmation most benefical to thos most at risk
c. Initial evidence that beneficial effects of self affirmation on precautionary material may be
durable
Method
- Informed taking part in 2 sep studies, one on self-perception (self-affirmation manip) and one
where eval photos for use on cig packs
a. Experimental condit ppos thinking task –write as many of their desirable characteristics
b. Ctrl condit list everything eaten in past 24 hours
c. Experimental condit agree more that task made them think about pos aspects of selves
d. Groups didn’t differ on measures of neg affect
e. Then shown images designed to shock them
Results
- Self-affirmed had higher ratings than non affirmed affirmation reduce defensive resp nd
promot intentions to cut down
- Greater risk assoc w/ higher personal health risk percep
a. smoking more assoc w/ less precautionary motivation
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Self-affirmation reduces smokers" defensiveness to graphic on-pack cigarette warning labels | harris et al. (2007) Test whether smokers respond defensively to graphic images in regards to smoking. Self-affirmation incr ratings of images on threatening and personally relevant: can promote less defensive responding about health risks of smoking. Debate about whether graphic images on cig packs are effective in getting people to quit: little experimental data on topic. Evidence that those most at risk act defensively ultimately reject material and are least persuaded. Potential issue w/ graphic warnings promote concern w/ fear ctrl not danger ctrl. Self-affirmed had higher ratings than non affirmed affirmation reduce defensive resp nd promot intentions to cut down. Greater risk assoc w/ higher personal health risk percep smoking more assoc w/ less precautionary motivation. Self affirmation promote higher ratings of personal relevance and intentions among those at high and moderate lvls of risk.
