Lay theories of smoking and young adult nonsmokers' and smokers' smoking expectations. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fitz, Caroline C; Kaufman, Annette; Moore, Philip J
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 20:Number 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 438
• Page End: 445
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: lay theories -- smoking expectations/intentions; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105313502694
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between lay theories of cigarette smoking and expectations to smoke. An incremental lay theory of smoking entails the belief that smoking behavior can change; an entity theory entails the belief that smoking behavior cannot change. Undergraduate nonsmokers and smokers completed a survey that assessed lay theories of smoking and smoking expectations. Results demonstrated that lay theories of smoking were differentially associated with smoking expectations for nonsmokers and smokers: stronger incremental beliefs were associated with greater expectations of trying smoking for nonsmokers but lower expectations of becoming a regular smoker for smokers. Implications for interventions are discussed.