Framing in entertainment-education: Effects on processes of narrative persuasion

Nowadays, entertainment-education (E-E) is often used as a persuasive strategy to stimulate prosocial behavior. Although E-E is mostly regarded as a persuasive strategy in itself, in an increasing number of E-E programs several persuasive strategies are used to communicate the educational message to the audience. This study investigates the effects of a strategy widely used in health communication, but not previously studied in the field of E-E: framing. To this means we examined the effect of two different ways an E-E message can be framed: by emphasizing either the losses of not performing the behavior in question or the gains of performing this behavior. A serial multiple mediation model showed that framing affected intention to refrain from drunk cycling via counterarguing and attitude toward drunk cycling; the use of a gain frame decreased counterarguing, which decreased the attitude toward drunk cycling. This subsequently resulted in a higher intention to refrain from this behavior. Implications of these results are discussed

See the cake and have it too? Investigating the effect of watching a TV cooking show on unhealthy food choices

Contains fulltext : 233413.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)This study tested whether exposure to food-related (vs. non-food related) TV content would increase unhealthy food choices in unsuccessful restrained eaters (i.e., chronic dieters with low perceived self-regulatory success; PSRS), decrease unhealthy food choices in successful restrained eaters (i.e., chronic dieters with high PSRS), and would not affect food choices in unrestrained eaters (i.e., non-dieters). As such, we attempted to (1) explain previous mixed findings on behavioral effects of exposure to food-related TV content, and (2) generalize previous findings on successful and unsuccessful restrained and unrestrained eaters' differential reactivity to isolated food cues (e.g., food words) to food cues embedded in TV content. In a one-factorial between-subjects experiment, participants viewed a cooking segment in which high-calorie cakes were prepared (n = 50) or a non-food segment (n = 62) of a TV show. The percentage of unhealthy (vs. healthy) food choices in a computerized choice task served as dependent variable. Eating restraint and PSRS were measured afterwards. In contrast to the hypothesis, no three-way interaction between TV content, eating restraint, and PSRS on the percentage of unhealthy food choices was found. However, it was found that overall, people with lower levels of PSRS made a higher percentage of unhealthy food choices compared to people with higher levels of PSRS. Contrasting findings from previous research using isolated food cues, this study showed no evidence of unsuccessful restrained eaters' heightened susceptibility to food cues in TV content, possibly explained by a lower salience of or attention to food cues.8 p

Signalling product healthiness through symbolic package cues: Effects of package shape and goal congruence on consumer behaviour

Three studies show that product packaging shape serves as a cue that communicates healthiness of food products. Inspired by embodiment accounts, we show that packaging that simulates a slim body shape acts as a symbolic cue for product healthiness (e.g., low in calories), as opposed to packaging that simulates a wide body shape. Furthermore, we show that the effect of slim package shape on consumer behaviour is goal dependent. Whereas simulation of a slim (vs. wide) body shape increases choice likelihood and product attitude when consumers have a health-relevant shopping goal, packaging shape does not affect these outcomes when consumers have a hedonic shopping goal. In Study 3, we adopt a realistic shopping paradigm using a shelf with authentic products, and find that a slim (as opposed to wide) package shape increases on-shelf product recognition and increases product attitude for healthy products. We discuss results and implications regarding product positioning and the packaging design process.Coherent privaatrech

Renal stone detection using a low kilo-voltage paediatric CT protocol – A porcine phantom study

yesIntroduction: Reducing tube voltage is an effective dose saving method in computed tomography (CT) assuming tube current is not concurrently increased. Recent innovations in scanner technology now enable CT tube voltage reduction to 70 kV thereby increasing opportunities for dose reduction in paediatric patients, but it is unclear if the increased image noise associated with 70 kV impacts on ability to visualise renal stones accurately. The purpose was to assess detectability of nephrolithiasis using a bespoke paediatric phantom and low kV, non-contrast CT and to assess inter-observer agreement. Methods: Forty-two renal stones of different size and chemical composition were inserted into porcine kidneys and positioned in a bespoke, water-filled phantom mimicking a 9-year-old child weighing approximately 33kg. The phantom was scanned using 120 and 70 kV CT protocols, and the detectability of the stones was assessed by three radiologists. Absolute agreement and Fleiss’ kappa regarding detectability were assessed. Results: The mean diameter of renal stones as measured physically was 4.24 mm ranging from 1 to 11 mm. Four stones were missed by at least one observer. One observer had a sensitivity of 93 and 95% at 70 and 120 kV, respectively, while the sensitivity for observers 2 and 3 was 98% at both kV levels. Specificity was 100% across readers and kV levels. Absolute agreement between the readers at 70 kV was 92% (kappa = 0.86) and 98% (kappa = 0.96) at 120 kV indicating a strong agreement at both kV levels. Conclusions: The results suggest that lowering the kV does not affect the detection rate of renal stones and may be a useful dose reduction strategy for assessment of nephrolithiasis in children