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Perceptions of smokers influence nonsmoker attitudes and preferences for interactions
Author(s) -
Dillard Amanda J.,
Magnan Renee E.,
Köblitz Amber R.,
McCaul Kevin D.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/jasp.12008
Subject(s) - perception , psychology , social psychology , social perception , clinical psychology , neuroscience
In two studies, we examined nonsmokers' perceptions of smokers and consequences of the perceptions. In S tudy 1, smokers answered questions about their sense of self, dependence on smoking, and motivation to quit. Nonsmokers answered questions about their perceptions of these characteristics. Differences between smokers' self‐descriptions and nonsmokers' perceptions were observed. Study 2 asked nonsmokers to judge two types of smokers for which the descriptions were based on Study 1 findings. Results showed that nonsmokers held a more negative attitude about and were less willing to engage in different close relationships with the smoker who was described in terms of nonsmokers' perceptions rather than smokers' reports. Attitude mediated the relationship between type of smoker and willingness to date a smoker.