Article Version of Record

Dynamic mental representations of habitual behaviours: Food choice on a web-based environment

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Gaspar, Rui
Palma-Oliveira, José Manuel
Corral-Verdugo, Victor

Abstract / Description

Aim: Rather than being rigid, habitual behaviours may be determined by dynamic mental representations that can adapt to context changes. This adaptive potential may result from particular conditions dependent on the interaction between two sources of mental constructs activation: perceived context applicability and cognitive accessibility. Method: Two web-shopping simulations offering the choice between habitually chosen and non-habitually chosen food products were presented to participants. This considered two choice contexts differing in the habitual behaviour perceived applicability (low vs. high) and a measure of habitual behaviour chronicity. Results: Study 1 demonstrated a perceived applicability effect, with more habitual (non-organic) than non-habitual (organic) food products chosen in a high perceived applicability (familiar) than in a low perceived applicability (new) context. The adaptive potential of habitual behaviour was evident in the habitual products choice consistency across three successive choices, despite the decrease in perceived applicability. Study 2 evidenced the adaptive potential in strong habitual behaviour participants – high chronic accessibility – who chose a habitual product (milk) more than a non-habitual product (orange juice), even when perceived applicability was reduced (new context). Conclusion: Results portray consumers as adaptive decision makers that can flexibly cope with changes in their (inner and outer) choice contexts.

Keyword(s)

habitual behaviour behavioural goals cognitive accessibility perceived applicability food choice web-based environments

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2016-08-08

Journal title

Psychology, Community & Health

Volume

5

Issue

2

Page numbers

115–133

Publisher

PsychOpen GOLD

Publication status

publishedVersion

Review status

peerReviewed

Is version of

Citation

Gaspar, R., Palma-Oliveira, J. M., & Corral-Verdugo, V. (2016). Dynamic mental representations of habitual behaviours: Food choice on a web-based environment. Psychology, Community & Health, 5(2), 115–133. https://doi.org/10.5964/pch.v5i2.171
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Gaspar, Rui
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Palma-Oliveira, José Manuel
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Corral-Verdugo, Victor
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2018-12-06T06:49:13Z
  • Made available on
    2018-12-06T06:49:13Z
  • Date of first publication
    2016-08-08
  • Abstract / Description
    Aim: Rather than being rigid, habitual behaviours may be determined by dynamic mental representations that can adapt to context changes. This adaptive potential may result from particular conditions dependent on the interaction between two sources of mental constructs activation: perceived context applicability and cognitive accessibility. Method: Two web-shopping simulations offering the choice between habitually chosen and non-habitually chosen food products were presented to participants. This considered two choice contexts differing in the habitual behaviour perceived applicability (low vs. high) and a measure of habitual behaviour chronicity. Results: Study 1 demonstrated a perceived applicability effect, with more habitual (non-organic) than non-habitual (organic) food products chosen in a high perceived applicability (familiar) than in a low perceived applicability (new) context. The adaptive potential of habitual behaviour was evident in the habitual products choice consistency across three successive choices, despite the decrease in perceived applicability. Study 2 evidenced the adaptive potential in strong habitual behaviour participants – high chronic accessibility – who chose a habitual product (milk) more than a non-habitual product (orange juice), even when perceived applicability was reduced (new context). Conclusion: Results portray consumers as adaptive decision makers that can flexibly cope with changes in their (inner and outer) choice contexts.
    en_US
  • Publication status
    publishedVersion
  • Review status
    peerReviewed
  • Citation
    Gaspar, R., Palma-Oliveira, J. M., & Corral-Verdugo, V. (2016). Dynamic mental representations of habitual behaviours: Food choice on a web-based environment. Psychology, Community & Health, 5(2), 115–133. https://doi.org/10.5964/pch.v5i2.171
    en_US
  • ISSN
    2182-438X
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/1928
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2294
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Publisher
    PsychOpen GOLD
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.5964/pch.v5i2.171
  • Keyword(s)
    habitual behaviour
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    behavioural goals
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    cognitive accessibility
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    perceived applicability
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    food choice
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    web-based environments
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    Dynamic mental representations of habitual behaviours: Food choice on a web-based environment
    en_US
  • DRO type
    article
  • Issue
    2
  • Journal title
    Psychology, Community & Health
  • Page numbers
    115–133
  • Volume
    5
  • Visible tag(s)
    Version of Record