Experimental study designs examining social context and smoking: scientific challenges and considerations

Abstract

Commentary to: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.13503/abstract

From consensus to action: time to incorporate social context into laboratory studies of smoking

“…In our laboratory, we are beginning to examine smoking and cigarette craving experiences in a variety of social settings, including interactions among non‐romantic friends (smoking buddies) and intimate partners. We also agree with Dr Harakeh's suggestion to examine interactions via social media related to smoking and Dr Graham's recommendation to evaluate effects across different levels of socio‐economic status .…”

“…We concluded that understanding of smoking will remain incomplete if investigators continue to rely entirely upon laboratory research conducted while individuals participate in isolation . It was both striking and heartening to us to find unanimity among the commentators in their support of our position . They also identified a number of areas where they believe social psychological factors can play a role in understanding smoking.…”

“…They also identified a number of areas where they believe social psychological factors can play a role in understanding smoking. In particular, we call attention to Dr Harakeh's remarks, which identify a host of important experimental research questions related to processes underlying social influence and to Dr Gebhardt's comments regarding the importance of social‐identification processes .…”