Applying Principles of Persuasion to Prevent Misuse of Psychoactive Substances: Ambivalence, Norms, and Vested Interest

This symposium outlines four studies that apply psychological theory to prevent adolescents’ psychoactive substance use. Study 1 reduced marijuana ambivalence, resulting in negative attitudes and lower usage intentions. Study 2 successfully implemented a novel social norms preventive model. Two final studies demonstrated the use of vested interest theory in prevention.