EFFECTS OF REFUTATIONAL MESSAGES, THOUGHT PROVOCATION, AND DECISION DEADLINES ON SIGNING TO DONATE ORGANS

Across three experiments college students were given refutational mess ages or other treatments encouraging signing drivers' licenses to dona te bodily organs in case of accidental death. An attitudinal measure ( willingness to sign) predicted observed signing behavior, but relative ly weakly. A measure of behavioral expectation to sign or not to sign predicted more strongly. A discussion with family was encouraged, the impact of that discussion also predicted signing but less strongly so. In Study 1 groups given a refutational message signed at no greater r ates than a group given a control message. In Study 2 a refutational m essage group and a group asked to think about donating for 2 min signe d at higher rates than a true control group. In Study 3 groups asked t o decide whether or not to sign by a certain date and time signed at a higher rate than a refutational message group as in earlier studies. These procedures are recommended for organ donation signing campaigns.