Kirsten Lochbühler

k.lochbuehler@pwo.ru.nl

Title project:
Media Influences on Smoking Behaviour of Youth

Abstract:
The aim of this project is to examine to what extent exposure to smoking in media (contemporary films) is predictive of smoking onset. Using experimental designs, we will test whether adolescents who are confronted with smoking characters in popular movies are more likely to develop positive attitudes towards smoking, have a greater desire to smoke and show more actual smoking behaviour than adolescents confronted with non-smoking characters. Underlying mechanisms involving identification and transportation will be tested. The main aim of this project is to determine a theoretical model for the association between smoking portrayal in movies and smoking behaviour and to establish different explanations for smokers and non-smokers.