Automatic effects of illness schema activation on behavioral manifestations of illness.

Abstract

Objective: Relatively little research has directly evaluated the schematic nature of illness representations proposed by the common sense model of illness. Four studies tested the hypothesis that illness schema activation leads directly and automatically to behavioral manifestations of illness. Methods: Study 1 was a survey (N = 970) that evaluated the proposition that the mental representation of common cold symptom experience includes functional deviation from the usual prototypical self. Studies 2 and 3 were experiments that tested effects of cold schema activation using a subliminal priming paradigm on walking speed (Study 2, N = 53) and free recall in a memory task (Study 3, N = 30). Study 4 (N = 65) used a 2 (cold prime vs. control) X 2 (alternate self vs. control) experimental design to investigate attenuation of the effect of the cold prime on free recall. Results: Study 1 confirmed the multifactorial nature of functional self-deviations representing the common cold symptomology. Studies 2 and 3 showed that participants primed with the common cold schema walked more slowly and performed worse on a memory recall task relative to controls in whom the schema was not activated. These effects were automatic in the sense that participants were not aware of the prime or of this influence. In Study 4, priming an alternative self-identity overcame the deleterious effect of automatic common cold schema activation on free recall in a memory task. Conclusions: Subliminal activation of a schematic representation of illness automatically activates behavioral manifestations of illness.

A Schema-Activation Approach to Failure and Success in Self-Control

“…Therefore, one can assume that even fatigue/decreased vitality exists as a schema. In several experiments, after a subliminal priming with a fatigue-involving concept (the flu), healthy people showed elevated signs of physical and mental fatigue (e.g., decreased walking speed, impaired learning and recalling; Orbell and Henderson, 2016). Shalev (2014) found in a series of experiments that people primed with thirst (a fatigued-related bodily state) had reduced perceived momentary vitality and had lower persistence in a frustrating task (a measure that has frequently been used to assess ego depletion; e.g., Baumeister et al, 1998).…”

Introduction to the special issue on the common sense model of self-regulation

“…On the other hand, recent experimental studies have advanced our understanding of self-regulation and provided more support to the CSM. For example, several experimental studies have demonstrated the close relationships between implicit illness schemata, illness beliefs, illness-related information and coping procedures/action plans (e.g., Ahluwalia, Hughes, McCracken, & Chilcot, 2017;Henderson, Orbell, & Hagger, 2009;Orbell & Henderson, 2016).…”

Automatic processes and self-regulation of illness

“…In essence, the prototype of the normal self in a chronically ill patient may become enmeshed in the illness prototype so that every sensory experience is attended to and interpreted as a symptom indicative of existing illness. Orbell and Henderson (2016) suggest that illness schema activation by priming might be viewed within an active self-account (Smeesters, Wheeler & Kay, 2010;Wheeler, DeMarree & Petty, 2007). People possess a vast chronic self-concept of which only a subset can be active at any given moment, and serves to guide behaviour (Markus & Wurf, 1987).…”

“…Some of these non-consciously mediated processes are behavioural correlates of biological responses to illness threat (e.g. such as resting or sleeping in association with immune function activity in response to infection, Orbell & Henderson, 2016; or immediate cessation of exertion in response to a pulled muscle during physical activity). To illustrate, consider that parents and carers recognise a state of ill health in a young child (or even a pet animal) by observation of change in a child's normal activity and temperament rather than a verbal declaration of symptoms or illness labels.…”

“…The degree to which an individual's self concept deviates from an 'illness selfconcept' may determine interpretations of symptoms as normal versus threatening. Leventhal, Phillips & Burns, 2016b;Marcus & Wurf, 1987: Orbell & Henderson, 2016Riebel, Egloff & Witthoft, 2014;Smeesters, Wheeler & Kay, 2010;Wheeler, De Marree & Petty, 2007 Priming The activation of relevant mental representations by external stimuli.…”