Whether or not we were a part of it, we all know about the “in-group” from our yesteryears. New research shows that our health behaviors are correlated with our perceived identity.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research shows that when people associate a particular behavior with the “out group,” they are less likely to participate in that action. For instance, if we were led to believe that gangsters (an out-group) ate junk food, we are more likely to choose healthier foods so as to not be associated with the “out group.”
This concept can actually be really beneficial. If a health decision is based on the identity that the choice communicates to others, there is hope for a healthier reality! But it can also achieve the reverse, so be conscious of your decisions and why you are making them.
Monkey see, monkey do.
