Rather than trying to change patients’ beliefs about vaccinations, doctors would be better served by making it easier for patients to get those shots, says a psychology professor.
Research shows that behavior is less influenced by attempts to change a person’s beliefs and more influenced by changes in the environment that facilitate the choice of a healthy option,writes Gretchen Chapman, Ph.D., acting co-director at Rutgers University’s Center for Cognitive Science, in NEJM Catalyst. So, for instance, people will be more likely to eat fruit if there is a bowl of fruit on the kitchen table instead of candy.
