Target-related autobiographical memories affect dietary intake intentions^.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Autobiographical memory (AM) recall influences behavior, but underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
• Investigating how AM characteristics impact future behavioral intentions is crucial for understanding this link.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the influence of AM frame (success/fail) and relatedness (target, related, unrelated domains) on dietary intake control intentions.
• To clarify the direct impact of AM recall on behavioral intentions, attitudes, and self-efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments involved participants recalling framed autobiographical memories (diet, exercise, work).
• Questionnaires assessed attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions regarding dietary intake control.
• A mini-meta-analysis synthesized findings on AM relatedness and intention.

Main Results:

• Recalling related AMs, compared to unrelated AMs, led to higher intentions to control dietary intake.
• AM frame and relatedness did not significantly affect attitudes or self-efficacy.
• A meta-analysis confirmed a significant direct effect of AM relatedness on intention ratings (Cohen's d = .25).

Conclusions:

• Recalling related autobiographical memories can directly enhance intentions for future dietary control.
• This effect on intention operates independently of changes in attitudes or self-efficacy.
• Findings highlight a direct pathway from related AM recall to dietary behavior intentions.