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Instagram-based priming to nudge drink choices: Subtlety is not the answer
Enola Kay1, Eva Kemps2, Ivanka Prichard3
1Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia; Health Policy Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia.
Instagram images can influence drink choices. Prominent soft drink visuals nudged participants toward selecting drinks, but healthier options require a more noticeable approach.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Nutrition Psychology
- Digital Marketing Impact
Background:
- Sugar-sweetened beverages pose significant health risks.
- Social media platforms like Instagram are influential in shaping consumer behavior.
- Understanding subtle environmental cues is crucial for promoting healthier choices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of Instagram-based priming on beverage choices.
- To determine if visual primes influence the selection between drinks and snacks.
- To assess the impact of prime subtlety on choice behavior.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted with young adults (18-25 years).
- Participants viewed Instagram-style ads with water, soft drink, or no beverage primes.
- Drink and food choices were recorded from a visual display.
Main Results:
- Prominent soft drink primes significantly increased the likelihood of choosing a drink over food.
- Subtle beverage primes in Experiment 1 did not influence choices.
- Healthier drink primes (water) did not significantly affect choices in either experiment.
Conclusions:
- Clearly visible soft drink primes on Instagram can nudge participants towards selecting drinks.
- A more overt strategy is necessary to effectively promote healthier beverage consumption.
- The visibility and type of beverage prime significantly moderate its influence on consumer choice.
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