VITAL EVIDENCE
Fear Is a Weak Motivator
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Scaring people about the health risks of smoking and obesity or the environmental consequences of pollution is an ineffective way to change their behavior, according to a wide-ranging analysis of studies into what works -- and what does not -- in getting people to live healthier lives and treat the environment more responsibly.
Giving people the confidence that they can make such changes is far more effective, according to an analysis of hundreds of research studies involving 47 different kinds of behaviors. One key to success seems to lie in giving people tools -- breaking desirable lifestyle changes down to a series of methodical steps, setting goals and establishing ways to monitor results.
"Talk to yourself," the researchers advised. "If you're telling yourself you can't do it, then try telling yourself you can. If you think, 'I'm not the type,' then remember you don't need to be 'sporty' or slim to be active and benefit from it.
"If you think 'I haven't the time,' remember 30 minutes a day is all it takes -- there are 23 1/2 hours left. You don't need to make 'special time' for being active. Just make it part of your existing routine."
By contrast, the research noted, public interest messages that seek to induce fear, guilt or regret were ineffective.
The analysis was announced by the Economic and Social Research Council, a research organization largely funded by the British government, that studies social and economic questions of public importance.
-- Shankar Vedantam
