The effects of selfmodeling on cigarette smoking

Authors: J OwusuBempah D Howitt

Publish Date: 1985/06/01

Volume: 4, Issue: 2, Pages: 133-142

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Abstract

Two studies of selfmodeling are described Study 1 investigated whether selfmodeling would inhibit cigarette smoking behavior Fourteen cigarette smokers four males and 10 females served as subjects for a repeatedmeasures design In the selfmodeling condition the subjects watched themselves on a television monitor while smoking in the control condition they watched a short cartoon film on the same monitor also while smoking The following were measured 1 the amount of tobacco consumed 2 the amount of time lit cigarettes were in contact with the subjects’ lips and 3 the subjects’ physiological responses GSRs Study 2 investigated the role of cognitive factors in selfmodeling It followed much the same selfmodeling procedures as Study 1 However unlike Study 1 it incorporated a manipulated cognitive variable attitudes toward cigarette smoking Selfmodeling reduced the amount of smoking relative to the control condition in Study 1 In Study 2 it was found that cognitive factors influenced the amount of smoking Smoking increased in subjects supplied with information favorable to smoking whereas it decreased in those supplied with information unfavorable to smoking These findings and additional research on the efficacy of selfmodeling relative to other procedures suggest the importance of cognitive factors in selfmodeling

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