Personal fable: optimistic bias in cigarette smokers

Marianna Masiero1, Claudio Lucchiari1, Gabriella Pravettoni1

  • 1Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy ; Applied Research Unit for Cognitive and Psychological Science, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.

Summary

Smokers exhibit optimistic bias, underestimating health risks and overestimating preventive behaviors. This cognitive bias reinforces smoking habits, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve cessation rates.

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