Telling people to "rely on their reasoning" increases intentions to wear a face covering to slow down COVID‐19 transmission. Issue 3 (3rd February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Capraro, Valerio; Barcelo, Hélène
• Is Part Of: Applied cognitive psychology. Volume 35:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 693
• Page End: 699
• Publication Date: 2021-02-03
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- dual process -- emotion -- face masks -- reason; Cognition -- Periodicals; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; 153
• DOI: 10.1002/acp.3793
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0888-4080

Abstract

Abstract: Finding messaging to promote the use of face masks is fundamental during a pandemic. Study 1 ( N = 399) shows that telling people to "rely on their reasoning" increases intentions to wear a face mask, compared with telling them to "rely on their emotions." In Study 2 ( N = 591) we add a baseline. However, the results show only a non‐significant trend. Study 3 reports a well‐powered replication of Study 2 ( N = 930). In line with Study 1, this study shows that telling people to "rely on their reasoning" increases intentions to wear a face mask, compared to telling them to "rely on their emotions." Two internal meta‐analyses show that telling people to "rely on their reasoning" increases intentions to wear a face mask compared (1) to telling them to "rely on their emotions" and (2) to the baseline. These findings suggest interventions to promote intentions to wear a face mask.