Descriptive Norms and Prototypes Predict COVID-19 Prevention Cognitions and Behaviors in the United States: Applying the Prototype Willingness Model to Pandemic Mitigation

Background Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, prevention behavior adoption occurred in a rapidly changing context. In contrast to expectancy-value theories, the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) is well-suited for investigating novel and socially informed behaviors. Purpose We explored whether PWM social cognitions predicted coronavirus prevention behaviors. Method A representative sample of United States adults (N = 738; Mage = 46.8; 51.8% women; 78% white; April 2020) who had not had COVID-19 reported PWM predictor variables (perceived vulnerability, prevention descriptive norms, prototypes engaging in prevention behavior, and prevention behavioral intentions). Two weeks later, participants reported their prevention behaviors (handwashing, mask-wearing, social distancing, etc.) and future public health behavioral willingness (contact tracing, temperature checks, etc.). Results Controlling for putative demographic, past behavior, and coronavirus-contextual (e.g., local infection rates) covariates, mediation models indicated that higher norms and favorable prototypes were associated with greater prevention behavioral intentions, which in turn predicted increased prevention behavior, F(18, 705) = 92.20, p < .001, R2 = .70. Higher norms and favorable prototypes associated both directly and indirectly (through greater prevention behavioral intention) with greater willingness to engage in emerging public health behaviors, F(15, 715) = 21.49, p < .001, R2 = .31. Conclusions Greater descriptive norms and favorable prototypes for prevention behavior predicted: (a) future prevention behaviors through increases in behavioral intentions and (b) willingness to participate in emerging public health behaviors. These results held across demographic groups, political affiliation, and severity of regional outbreaks. Public health efforts to curb pandemics should highlight normative prevention participation and enhance positive prototypes.

Adolescents’ intention and willingness to engage in risky photo disclosure on social networking sites: Testing the prototype willingness model

Researchers state that around 80-90% of adolescents share photos on social networking sites (SNS) (Anderson & Jiang, 2018), which may have positive and negative consequences on adolescents’ health. However, it is still unclear why adolescents engage in such kind of behaviour. Thus, the aim of this study is to find out if the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) can explain adolescents’ risky photo disclosure on SNS. To reach this aim, a survey study was conducted among a sample of adolescents (N = 586; Mage = 14.65, SDage = 1.36; 56.9% female). Students were asked to fill in hard copy questionnaires, assessing the factors of reasoned (intention) and reactive (willingness) pathways of the PWM and risky photo disclosure on SNS. In order to test adolescents’ intention and willingness of risky photo disclosure on SNS, structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was performed using Mplus. The results of the hypothesized model showed acceptable model fit: χ² = 3950.467, p < .001; RMSEA = .064, 90% CI [.062, .067], CFI = .935, TLI = .931. According to the results, we can state that adolescents’ risky photo disclosure on SNS is better explained by the factors of the reasoned pathway (intention) than the reactive pathway (willingness).

The Prediction Factors of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use among Bodybuilders: Application of Prototype Willingness Model

Background: One of the types of doping commonly used by bodybuilders is androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS).The use of AAS in addition to violating sporting ethics, has serious consequences on physical and mental health. The purpose of this study was to determining the most important factors of AAS use among bodybuilders using prototype willingness model (PWM).Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 280 male bodybuilders were selected using multistage sampling from the bodybuilding clubs in Hamadan city in 2016.A self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic information and constructs of the PWM was used to collect data and random forest model was used to analyses the gathered data.Results: behavioral willingness, Attitude, previous AAS use were the most important factors in determining the behavioral intention. Subjective norms, attitude, BMI and prototypes were the factors that have the greatest impact on predicting of behavioral willingness of AAS use. Also behavioral intention was more important rather than behavioral willingness for predicting of AAS use.Discussion: The results based on PWM and random forest showed that the reasoned action path has a greater impact than social reaction path to predict AAS use among bodybuilders.

FACEBOOK ‘SELFICIDE’: ARE THEY MODERN-DAY TRAGIC ATTEMPTS OF OUR SYMBOLIC CAPITAL?

Purpose: This article addresses this novel area tied to social networking sites, like Facebook and our Symbolic Capital, claiming that Facebook activities like extreme selfies reflect the participants’ desire for honor or Symbolic Capital thus opening up a new connection between Facebook usage and Symbolic Capital. Methodology: This research methodology is based on qualitative data analysis from prior research activities, real world evidences, PWM of death incidents regarding extreme selfies, and finally, sociological and philosophical analysis of capitals from Pierre Bourdieu. Findings: We are proposing a correlation between our desire for Symbolic Capital (collecting honor, trophy, and pride) for taking extreme Facebook selfies, explained by the PWM (Prototype Willingness Model) behavior model.

Adolescents’ Sexy Self-Presentation on Instagram: An Investigation of Their Posting Behavior Using a Prototype Willingness Model Perspective

Some adolescents use social media platforms, such as Instagram, for sexualized self-presentation, which includes posting images in which someone is scarcely dressed, has a sexy gaze or in which sexual willingness is suggested. These behaviors could be a first step towards sexting. Given that adolescents are highly influenced by peer perceptions, this study uses the prototype willingness model to assess how teenagers’ perceptions of others could influence their posting behaviors. The study was conducted among 2626 students (n = 1530; 58.4% girls) between the ages of 14 and 21 (M = 16.14; SD = 1.02) in 10 secondary schools in the Dutch-speaking community in Belgium. The results show that older adolescents and girls were more likely to post images of themselves on Instagram. The models showed that peer norms and willingness and attitudes were significantly associated with posting intention. The perceived norms of adolescents’ parents were not significantly related to the behaviors. There were also significant associations between perceived similarity, prototype favorability and the willingness to engage in sexualized self-presentation on Instagram. The implications for education and practice are discussed.