Prestwich et al., 2008: Learning about the health risks of saturated fat and planning to avoid it decreased its consumption one month later
Reference:
Prestwich, A., Ayres, K., & Lawton, R. (2008). Crossing two types of implementation intentions with a protection motivation intervention for the reduction of saturated fat intake: A randomized trial. Social Science & Medicine, 67(10), 1550-1558.
Download PDFSummary:
People who were both (1) exposed to information concerning the health risks of saturated food and (2) asked to make “If….then…” plans to avoid buying foods high in saturated fat (e.g., “If I’m in the supermarket then I will check the food labels of the product and not buy the product if the label says the food contains more than 1.5% saturated fat”) reported less consumption of saturated fat 1 month later. This effect was found relative to people who did neither (1) nor (2) and who did either but not both.
Psychological Process:
What Desired Meaning is At Stake?
What is the Person Trying to Understand?
Selves (My Own and Others')How?
Psychological Question Addressed
Where and when will I accomplish my goals?Where and when will I accomplish my goals?Psychological Question Addressed
Where and when will I accomplish my goals?Psychological Process 2:
Psychological Process 3:
Social Area:
Health
Intervention Technique:
Prompting with information; Active reflection, on goals