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Comparative Study
. 2007 Aug;97(8):1399-400.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.101071. Epub 2007 Jun 28.

Implications of the normative fallacy in young adult smokers aged 19-24 years

John A Cunningham  1 , Peter L Selby
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Implications of the normative fallacy in young adult smokers aged 19-24 years

John A Cunningham et al. Am J Public Health. 2007 Aug.

Erratum in

  • Am J Public Health. 2007 Dec;97(12):2121

Abstract

We used a random-digit-dialed survey of 434 smokers to demonstrate that approximately three quarters of young adult (aged 19-24 years) smokers overestimated by 20% or more the proportion of their peers who smoked. The effect of this normative fallacy was significantly greater in young adult smokers than in smokers aged 25 years or older. Because of the strength of this false consensus effect in young adult smokers, normative feedback interventions might be especially effective in this age group.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Example of a normative feedback graphic for use with young adult smokers showing actual smoking rates of young adult smokers aged 25–29 years for (a) men and (b) women. Source. From reference .
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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