Publication year: 2011
Source: Addictive Behaviors, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 4 August 2011
Kathryn, Coronges , Alan W., Stacy , Thomas W., Valente
Decision-making is a social process whereby behaviors are often driven by social influences and social consequences. Research shows that social context also plays an integral role in decision-making processes. In particular, evidence suggests that implicit or non-conscious cognitions are linked to social information in memory and that implicit attitudes can be communicated and assimilated between people on an unconscious level. This study assesses social contagion of implicit cognitions regarding alcohol and marijuana among high school friend networks. Data are from an evidence-based drug education program delivered by either a health educator or by nominated class leaders over a 3-month period….
Highlights: ► Students assimilate drug-related implicit attitudes of their friends after only three months of classroom drug education program. ► Implicit cognitions around alcohol and marijuana were more socially contagious through classroom friendship networks than were alcohol and marijuana behaviors. ► Cognitions were found to be more fluid than behaviors, particularly for alcohol, where implicit cognitive tendencies were more susceptible to social influences. ► Mapping social dynamics may be essential to understanding implicit processing of intervention material.