The fit between message framing and social distance: An efficient way to promote pro-social health behaviors

Abstract This research examines the interplay between message framing (gains vs. losses) and social distance (proximal vs. distal) on intention to adopt two pro-social health behaviors. Experiment 1 revealed that a gain-framed... [ view full abstract ]

Abstract
This research examines the interplay between message framing (gains vs. losses) and social distance (proximal vs. distal) on intention to adopt two pro-social health behaviors. Experiment 1 revealed that a gain-framed message (benefits of blood donation), associated with the testimonial of a distal person (someone older than the respondent), and loss-framed message (lack of benefits from not giving blood), associated with the testimonial of a proximal person (someone of similar age as the respondent), are the most effective combinations for promoting blood donation. Experiment 2 replicated these results with organ donation and indicated that consumers’ comparative optimism moderates these effects.