Washington State University researchers conducted an experiment that studied how differences in messages influenced participants’ attitudes about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Nearly 200 participants between the ages of 18 and 29 were studied. Different groups of participants received different messages about the HPV vaccine. Some messages were negatively worded and the others were positively worded.   The negatively worded messages stated, for instance, that 3 out of 10 people missed out on the vaccine, while the positively worded messages stated that 7 out of 10 people did get the vaccine.

This study found that messages which highlighted others’ approval of vaccination, such as parents and peers, may be more effective in increasing individuals’ interest in learning more about the vaccine.

Please read more about the study here.

Source: https://news.wsu.edu/2020/06/04/wording-vaccination-messages-influences-behavior/