In the mood to face the facts: When a positive mood increases systematic processing of self-threatening messages

E. Das, B.M. Fennis

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Two experiments tested the hypothesis that a positive mood can increase attendance to, and systematic processing of, threatening health information, particularly when the information is self-relevant. In Study 1, a positive mood increased differentiation between strong and weak arguments in a threatening health message about RSI only for participants who had received false feedback regarding their high vulnerability to RSI. Mood had no effects under conditions of low vulnerability. In Study 2, a positive mood speeded up responses to self-threatening words-compared with neutral words-for smokers who had just read a threatening health message about smoking. The authors conclude that fostering a positive mood may promote attendance to and systematic processing of information that threatens the self, and hence contribute to the success of health campaigns targeted at individuals who are vulnerable to specific health risks.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-230
Number of pages10
JournalMotivation and Emotion
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

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