Norms Message Features in an Alcohol Consumption Context

Testing the Roles of Functional Matching and Numeracy

Bibliographic Data

ID21616614
AuthorsDavid M Keating (0000-0003-4276-1097, University of New Mexico, corresponding author), Daniel Totzkay (0000-0001-9078-6868, West Virginia University), Emily F Galper (0000-0002-7986-1107, California State University, Northridge), Emily Galper (California State University System)
Year2022
Volume37
Issue11
Pages1432-1441
Publication date2022-09-19
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1041-0236 • E-ISSN: 1532-7027
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10410236.2021.1895427
PMID33691559
OpenAlexW3134008735
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited28

The current study tested a theoretical account of how and when norms message features influence attitudes and intentions. Specifically, we examined whether functional matching and numeracy help to explain variation in persuasive outcomes following exposure to norms messaging. We executed two experiments to test our functional matching and numeracy assumptions in the context of alcohol consumption. Across both studies, our functional matching assumption was not supported. In Study 2, numeracy moderated the impact of descriptive norms message content on intentions to engage in heavy drinking, such that message exposure was associated with reduced drinking intentions among participants with greater levels of numeracy. In sum, the findings provided some evidence that the functional attitude approach lacked theoretical utility and that numeracy dictated the effect of norms message exposure on intentions

Alcohol · Alcohol consumption · Developmental psychology · Literacy · Numeracy · Statistics · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Mathematics · Media Influence and Health · Psychology · Social Psychology

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