Illness cognition in seasonal context

Authors

  • S. Orbell
  • C. Henderson
  • M. Hagger

Abstract

Backgound: Recent research has demonstrated that implicit models of illness are capable of activation by priming techniques. Purpose: To test the hypothesis that following a common cold prime, illness related schematic information would be more accessible when the illness in question is 'in season' than when it is 'out of season'. Methods: A 2(common cold vs. neutral prime) X 2(in season vs. out of season) experimental design. Participants (N = 85) were primed prior to completing a modified colour Stroop task to assess accessibility of implicit illness related information. Findings: Moderated linear regression of response latency to common cold words revealed the predicted main effect of prime (B = .28, p = .009) and significant 2-way interaction of prime with seasonality (B = .26, p = .016). Illness related information was more accessible in participants primed when the common cold was in season than when it was not in season. Discussion: The social environment may make the activation of a specific illness schema more likely.

Published

2015-12-31

Issue

Section

Symposia