Using abstractness to confront challenges: How the abstract construal level increases people’s willingness to perform desirable but demanding actions.

Abstract

Previous research has shown that while considering future behavioral intentions, desirability is more salient in making decisions in an abstract mindset than in a concrete one. Based on this premise, we test whether behavioral intentions to engage in desirable but difficult actions are more likely in an abstract mindset than a concrete mindset. We experimentally manipulated (Studies 1 through 4 using cognitive primes) and measured as a personal disposition (Study 5 using the Behavioral Identification Form) the construal level to evaluate its influence on the willingness to perform challenges. The behaviors tested focused on self-benefits (Studies 4 and 5) and benefits to others (Studies 1 through 3 and 5). Studies 1 and 2 included only demanding behaviors, whereas Studies 3 through 5 included both difficult and easy conditions. In Studies 1 and 2, the participants were more motivated to attempt a difficult task when they were in an abstract mindset. In Studies 3 through 5, the participants in the abstract (compared to concrete) mindset reported a greater willingness and commitment to attempt desirable but demanding behaviors. Finally, in Study 5, the influence of the construal level on the global behavioral plan index (three behaviors) was moderated by feasibility. Public Significance StatementThe present studies suggest that an abstract style of thinking enhances people's intentions to perform desirable but demanding actions. An abstract construal level is a personal trait that can be modified by different procedures. Interventions aiming to change the construal level could be useful in clinical and educational settings and social communication campaigns to persuade the broader population to overcome difficulties associated with the recommended behavior.

Does Goal Conflict Necessarily Undermine Wellbeing? A Moderated Mediating Effect of Mixed Emotion and Construal Level

“…The reasons may involve several aspects: Individuals with high construal level are more tolerant to mixed emotions and are more likely to adopt flexible and creative processing methods (Förster et al, 2004). They are more willing to choose desirable but demanding actions (Carrera et al, 2020) and have better self-control (Fernández et al, 2018). The increase in psychological distance induced by high construal level can also alleviate the intensity and vividness of mixed emotions experienced by people (Wong and Bagozzi, 2005).…”

Having a stake in the future and perceived population density influence intergenerational cooperation

“…Previous work has found that increasing the cognitive load on participants, e.g. with distracting sounds [ 42 ], causes them to rely on an intuitive cooperative behaviour [ 43 ] and promotes future-oriented and other-oriented behaviour [ 44 , 45 ]. An alternative explanation is that nature sounds specifically increase cooperation through a different mechanism.…”

Concrete Messages Increase Healthy Eating Preferences

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