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Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance

Affirm the Self To Promote Health

Problem

People’s desire to see themselves in the best light prevents them from accurately perceiving risks to their health. 

Solution

Reassuring people that they are good helps them accept negative information about their health...  

Targeting Hypocrisy Promotes Safer Sex

Problem

More than 1 in 3 Americans have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Solution

Pointing out people’s hypocrisy causes them to practice safer sex.

Health
Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance

Revealing Hypocrisy Boosts Water Conservation

Problem

Even during droughts, many Americans guzzle water. In dry California, for example, some cities use more than four times as many gallons of water than do their neighbors. 

Solution

Discovering they are hypocrites prompts people to turn off the tap...

Environment
Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance

Wise Critiques Help Students Succeed

Problem

African-American students tend to receive lower grades, partly because they distrust school and their teachers.

Solution

When teachers tell African-American students, “I have high standards, and I know you can meet them,” they build their students’ trust and help them excel...

Education
Belonging / Support
Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance

Pointing Out Hypocrisy Can Spur Social Change

Problem

People who value equality fail to support civil rights. 

Solution

Making people aware that their values and behaviors do not align motivates them to change their ways...

Peace & Conflict
Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance

Don't Just Vote, Be a Voter

Problem

Most eligible American voters don’t vote in most elections. 

Solution

Messages about “being a voter,” rather than just “voting,” increase registration and turnout in state and national elections...

Law & Politics
Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance

Write To Lose Weight

Problem

Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. 

Solution

Writing about what’s really important in life can help people shed the pounds...

Health
Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance

Parents Turn Teens to Math and Science

Problem

American schools do not produce enough scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to meet the needs of 21st century workplaces. 

Solution

With a little guidance, parents can increase how many advanced math and science classes their teenagers take. 

Education
Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance

15-Minute Task Lifts African Americans' Grades

Problem

Students of color lag behind their European-American counterparts at every level of education.

Solution

Writing about a personal value for just 15 minutes at the beginning of the semester elevates African Americans' grades, closing the gap between European-American and African-American students by 40%.

Education
Self-Affirmation / -Threat / -Relevance
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