Sustained Reductions in Children's Risk Taking from Peer-Communicated Behavioral Safety Norms.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Morrongiello BA; Psychology Department, University of Guelph.; Weinberger E; Psychology Department, University of Guelph.; Seasons M; Psychology Department, University of Guelph.
- Source
- Publisher: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 7801773 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1465-735X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01468693 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Pediatr Psychol Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Objective: This research examined whether the positive effects of a peer-communicated social norm that reduces risk-taking behaviors persist over time and if a reminder of this peer-communicated safety message has any impact on this outcome.
Methods: Positive mood in 7- to 9-year olds was induced experimentally and risk taking intentions and behaviors were measured when the child was in a positive and neutral mood state and after they had been exposed to either a safety or neutral peer-communicated social norm message. A few weeks later, half of the participants who experienced the safety social norm message were exposed to a reminder of this message via a slogan and risk-taking measures were taken again when in a heightened positive mood state.
Results: Exposure to a safety norm successfully counteracted the increase in risk taking associated with a positive mood state. These effects persisted for several weeks regardless of whether the children were exposed to a reminder.
Conclusion: Manipulating peer social norms holds promise as an approach to produce reductions in children's risk taking and these effects persist at least over several weeks.
(© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)