The effect of images of Michelle Obama’s face on trick-or-treaters’ dietary choices: A randomized control trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the microfoundations of a personality-inspired public health campaign’s influence on minors.DesignMulti-year randomized control trial.SettingEconomics professor’s front porch in New Haven, CT.Participants1223 trick-or-treaters in New Haven over three years; on average, 8.5 years old and 53% male (among children whose gender was identifiable).EligibilityTrick-or-treaters over the age of three that approached the house.InterventionRandom assignment to the Michelle Obama side of the porch or the Comparison side of the porch.Main outcome measureSelection of fruit over candy.MethodsDifference-in-means estimates.ResultsWe estimate that viewing a photograph of Michelle Obama’s face relative to control conditions caused children to be 19% more likely to choose fruit over candy.ConclusionsMichelle Obama’s initiative to reduce childhood obesity has influenced children’s dietary preferences. Whether this influence extends beyond Halloween trick-or-treating in New Haven, CT on the porch of an economics professor requires further research.

Blind Trust, Blind Skepticism: Liberals’ & Conservatives’ Response to Academic Research

“…168-9). Common source cues in political science include interest groups (Callaghan & Schnell, 2009;Weber et al, 2012), political parties (Goren et al, 2009), elected officials and political candidates (Mondak 1993a(Mondak , 1993bWeber et al, 2012), ideologies (Hartman & Weber, 2009), the U.S. military (Kam, 2020), first ladies (Aronow et al, 2018;Kam, 2020), and news organizations, think tanks, scientific experts, and nonpartisan entities (Callaghan & Schnell, 2009;Jerit, 2009;Kam, 2020). As an example, knowledge of the insurance industry's position on complicated insurance reform propositions led less informed voters in California in 1988 to make voting decisions that looked similar to those of the mostinformed voters (Lupia, 1994).…”