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Snack intake is reduced using an implicit, high-level construal cue

Menna Price Orcid Logo, Suzanne Higgs, Michelle Lee Orcid Logo

Health Psychology, Volume: 35, Issue: 8, Pages: 923 - 926

Swansea University Authors: Menna Price Orcid Logo, Michelle Lee Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1037/hea0000322

Abstract

Objectives: Priming a high level construal has been shown to enhance self-control and reduce preference for indulgent food. Subtle visual cues have been shown to enhance the effects of a priming procedure. The current study therefore examined the combined impact of construal level and a visual cue r...

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Published in: Health Psychology
ISSN: 1930-7810
Published: 2016
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23998
Abstract: Objectives: Priming a high level construal has been shown to enhance self-control and reduce preference for indulgent food. Subtle visual cues have been shown to enhance the effects of a priming procedure. The current study therefore examined the combined impact of construal level and a visual cue reminder on the consumption of energy-dense snacks. Methods: A student and community-based adult sample with a wide age and BMI range (N = 176) were randomly assigned to a high or low construal condition in which a novel symbol was embedded (or not). Afterwards participants completed a taste test of ad libitum snack foods in the presence or absence of the symbol. Results: The high (versus the low) construal level prime successfully generated more abstract responses (p < .0001) and reduced intake when the cue-reminder was present (p = .02) but not when it was absent (p = .40). Conclusions: Priming high construal level thinking reduces consumption of high energy dense snacks in the presence of a visual cue-reminder. This may be a practical technique for reducing overeating and has the potential to be extended to other unhealthy behaviours.
Keywords: Priming, implicit cues, construal-level, overeating
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Issue: 8
Start Page: 923
End Page: 926

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