Dispositional motivations and message framing: a test of the congruency hypothesis in college students. |
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Authors: | Traci Mann David Sherman John Updegraff |
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Institution: | Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA. mann@psych.ucla.edu |
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Abstract: | The authors examined the congruency hypothesis that health messages framed to be concordant with dispositional motivations will be most effective in promoting health behaviors. Undergraduate students (N=63) completed a measure of approach/avoidance orientation (behavioral activation/inhibition system) and read a gain- or loss-framed message promoting flossing. Results support the congruency hypothesis: When given a loss-framed message, avoidance-oriented people reported flossing more than approach-oriented people, and when given a gain-framed message, approach-oriented people reported flossing more than avoidance-oriented people. Discussion centers on implications for health interventions and the route by which dispositional motivations affect health behaviors through message framing. |
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