Introducing conceptual tempo: an attempt to refocus health decision making in youth

This paper reassesses the current trend toward health decision-making skills for youth. A new field of research for health behavior called conceptual tempo is introduced in an attempt to make health decision-making interventions more effective. The argument is made that decision-making programs may not realize their full potential because of the lack of emphasis placed on the child's rate of response or "conceptual tempo" in making health decisions. Suggestions are made on how best to utilize the conceptual tempo literature to enhance health decision-making program objectives in school health education.