To smoke or not to smoke: The role of schematic information processing

This study investigated the role of schematic processing of positive and negative information about smoking in smokers (18), recent exsmokers (18), long-term exsmokers (18), and never-smokers (18) on a variety of cognitive tasks. On a schema reaction time task, smokers demonstrated facile processing of information positive to smoking, whereas never-smokers and both exsmoker groups responded more efficiently to information negative to smoking. All groups incidentally recalled more negative than positive smoking attributes, and more negative than positive smoking idea units front a text. Only smokers remembered their performance on a task measuring breathing capacity accurately I week later The findings provided mixed support for the hypothesis that smokers differ from ex- and never-smokers in their schematic processing of information about smoking. Implications for maintaining smoking abstinence are discussed.