Two experimental studies on the differential effects of low and high treatability information on the inclination to engage in cancer prevention

Abstract Two 3(control versus LTI HTI) × 2(self-affirmation no self-affirmation)-experiments were conducted. The first study presented a news message on the treatability of bowel cancer (N = 717); second was about skin 342). dependent variables intention to engage in preventive behaviors and acceptance. results showed that when participants exposed LTI, only response efficacy low, self-affirmation procedure increased their prevent (experiment 1), acceptance 2). When HTI, did not increase intention, even reduced findings suggest defensive processes active reaction but HTI. Although publishing HTI information media serves legitimate goals, it may have positive also negative unintended effects population.