2023/01/31 by Ana Paula Santana, Lars Korn, Cornelia Betsch +1 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes #Behavioral Health and Interventions #Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
paper · doi:10.1177/13591053221149526
openalex publication_date 2023/01/31 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Understanding individuals' preferences for antibiotics can help mitigate the acceleration of antibiotic resistance. Similar to the climate crisis, individuals "today" need to appropriately use antibiotics to reduce the negative consequences of antibiotic resistance for individuals "tomorrow." We use an established-yet novel in this research field-behavioral game approach to investigate individuals' preferences for antibiotics in the face of a between-generations conflict. In an online study, we investigated whether a between-generations (vs within-generations) conflict in antibiotic intake leads to larger overuse and how to promote appropriate use of antibiotics. Results indicate that overuse in the face of a between-generations (vs within-generations) conflict increased. Eliciting empathy toward future generations in the case of a between-generations conflict decreased overuse. Findings suggest that different representations of this social dilemma can influence people's preferences for antibiotics, and that empathy-based interventions might promote appropriate antibiotic use.