Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Methods for Presenting Real-world Objects Under Controlled Laboratory Conditions
Published on: June 21, 2019
The effect of visualizing healthy eaters and mortality reminders on nutritious grocery purchases: an integrative
Simon McCabe1, Jamie Arndt1, Jamie L Goldenberg2
1Department of Psychological Sciences.
Objective:
To use insights from an integration of the terror management health model and the prototype willingness model to inform and improve nutrition-related behavior using an ecologically valid outcome.
Method:
Prior to shopping, grocery shoppers were exposed to a reminder of mortality (or pain) and then visualized a healthy (vs. neutral) prototype. Receipts were collected postshopping and food items purchased were coded using a nutrition database.
Results:
Compared with those in the control conditions, participants who received the mortality reminder and who were led to visualize a healthy eater prototype purchased more nutritious foods.
Conclusion:
The integration of the terror management health model and the prototype willingness model has the potential for both basic and applied advances and offers a generative ground for future research.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Schemas
Confirmation Biases
Dietary Connections
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Framing Effects
Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention I
The health belief model (HBM) attempts to predict health-related behavior in specific belief patterns. According to the HBM, a person's...

