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 environmentsPersistent 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
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pch.v5i2.171.pdfAdobe PDF - 2.13MBMD5: 4d005da335d42c9fa14918e382d79d6a
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There are no other versions of this object.
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Gaspar, Rui
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Palma-Oliveira, José Manuel
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Corral-Verdugo, Victor
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2018-12-06T06:49:13Z
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Made available on2018-12-06T06:49:13Z
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Date of first publication2016-08-08
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Abstract / DescriptionAim: 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
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Publication statuspublishedVersion
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Review statuspeerReviewed
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CitationGaspar, 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.v5i2.171en_US
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ISSN2182-438X
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/1928
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2294
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Language of contenteng
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PublisherPsychOpen GOLD
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.5964/pch.v5i2.171
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Keyword(s)habitual behaviouren_US
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Keyword(s)behavioural goalsen_US
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Keyword(s)cognitive accessibilityen_US
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Keyword(s)perceived applicabilityen_US
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Keyword(s)food choiceen_US
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Keyword(s)web-based environmentsen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleDynamic mental representations of habitual behaviours: Food choice on a web-based environmenten_US
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DRO typearticle
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Issue2
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Journal titlePsychology, Community & Health
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Page numbers115–133
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Volume5
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Visible tag(s)Version of Record