Maša Pavlović

Implicit preference of sweets over fruit as a predictor of their actual consumption

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test if our eating behavior is determined not only by conscious evaluations of certain foods (explicit attitudes), but also by their automatic evaluations (implicit attitudes). Design/methodology/approach In two studies, the authors examined the predictive and incremental validity of these two types of attitudinal measures of eating behavior. Implicit attitudes were assessed with a standard implicit attitude test procedure (target categories were “sweets” and “fruit,” and attribute categories were “good” and “bad”); two explicit attitude measures were assessed: an explicit measure of preference for sweets over fruit and a semantic differential measure. The behavioral measure in Study 1 was the quantity of sweets consumed; in Study 2, it was a relative measure of sweets vs fruit consumption registered through a three-day diary. Findings The relatively low correlation between implicit and explicit attitude measures indicated that these measures at least partially tap into different processes. Implicit attitudes proved to be superior over explicit attitudes in predicting food consumption, especially for consumption registered via diary. This fact suggests that implicit attitudes are powerful drivers of long-term behavior. Practical implications The findings could be useful in tailoring interventions to promote healthier eating habits. Originality/value The research tested predictive power of implicit food-related attitudes. It compared the food consumption in laboratory and real-life settings. A new measure for daily food consumption was developed and it was calculated relative to recommended serving size.

Not Only When Feeling Down: The Relationship Between Mood Intensity and Smoking Behavior

ABSTRACT Background: There is substantial empirical evidence that negative mood triggers smoking behavior, and less support for the similar effect of positive mood. However, the relationship between the intensity of mood and smoking remains relatively under-researched. Objectives: The present study explored the association between mood intensity and smoking behavior. Methods: Seventy-three ad libitum smokers recorded their mood and concurrent number of smoked cigarettes three times daily for one week using electronic diary application. Real time assessment in natural environment enabled greater reliability, validity and generalizability of the collected data. Results: We analyzed results using within-subjects approach and obtained significant growth trend in smoking behavior that concurred with the increase of mood intensity—smokers tended to increase their consumption of cigarettes when they were feeling either happy or sad in comparison to the situation when they were in neutral mood. Importance: These findings raise implications regarding the role of mood intensity in initiating smoking behavior.

Is It Always Us or Them: How Do Young Serbs and Bosniaks Perceive Intergroup Borders?

Serbia has been characterized by ethnic and religious disparities, a major source of low-scale conflicts and an obstacle for development of stronger social cohesion. This chapter reflects on the importance of exploring perspectives of young people who live in a post-conflict region on existing ethnic and religious divisions and ways to overcome it. Authors present data on the process of drawing borders between Us and Them, and discuss it in the light of a social identity approach and research findings. Moreover, the chapter offers youth perspective on redefining invisible but very tangible group borders and building more inclusive societies. Through a case study of relations between Serbs and Bosniaks, the authors provide a glimpse of the complexity of a post-conflict social environment and closely interwoven factors affecting social relations among youth.