Persuasive communication about AIDS prevention: need for cognition determines the impact of message format. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Persuasive communication about AIDS prevention: need for cognition determines the impact of message format.

AIDS Educ Prev. 1999 Apr;11(2):150-62. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/99231113
Bakker AB; Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Utrecht; University, The Netherlands. A.Bakker@fss.un.nl

Abstract: Adolescents were classified as being high or low in need for cognition (NFC) (Cacioppo & Petty, 1982) and expressed their knowledge about AIDS, attitudes toward condom use, and perceived supportive norms after being exposed to a cartoon or a written message about safe sex. Both messages have a positive impact on knowledge and attitudes. Theoretically interesting is the finding that the cartoon message is more effective in bringing about change in attitudes and subjective norms than the written message for low-NFC adolescents, and that the written message is more effective than the cartoon message for high-NFC adolescents. These results are consistent with the theory-based prediction that a persuasive communication will be most effective when the format of the message is tailored to people's information-processing proclivities. The practical implications of the findings for AIDS education are discussed.
Keywords: CLINICAL TRIAL CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL JOURNAL ARTICLE *Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PREVENTION & CONTROL/ PSYCHOLOGY Adolescence *Adolescent Psychology Analysis of Variance Condoms Female Health Education/*METHODS/STANDARDS Human Individuality *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Male *Persuasive Communication Sex Behavior/PSYCHOLOGY Social Conformity Social Perception Support, Non-U.S. Gov't *ThinkingKWDclinicaltrialcontrolledclinicaltrialjournalarticleKWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/prevention&control/psychologyadolescenceKWDadolescentpsychologyanalysisofvariancecondomsfemalehealtheducation/KWDmethods/standardshumanindividualityKWDknowledge,attitudes,practicemaleKWDpersuasivecommunicationsexbehavior/psychologysocialconformitysocialperceptionsupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tKWDthinking
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