• What it is: Educating individuals so they understand why behaviors (like smoking) are harmful and need to change.
• Why it's cool: It's like being a detective of your own health, discovering clues and making smart decisions to live a healthier life.

Real-world example: Remember anti-smoking ads showing the effects of smoking? They're like a scary movie telling you the horrors of smoking, making you want to quit or never start!

What it is: This theory explains why people feel uncomfortable when their beliefs don't match their actions.

Three Basic Tenets

• People recognize inconsistencies in their beliefs and actions.
• Inconsistencies cause discomfort, like wearing mismatched socks.
• People try to match them, by changing beliefs, actions, or making excuses (rationalizing).

Real-world example: Imagine loving chocolate but knowing it's bad for your teeth. That's cognitive dissonance. You can either stop eating chocolate, decide it's not bad, or tell yourself, "I'll brush my teeth right after."

• What it's about: Smokers often rationalize smoking, saying it has benefits, despite knowing its dangers.
• Real-world example: Think of that friend who smokes but says it helps them relax. It's like eating a whole cake and saying it's for "energy" – they're making excuses!

• What it's about: By changing beliefs about unhealthy behavior, it's harder to make excuses, leading to change.
• Real-world example: Ever seen a billboard showing unhealthy fast food? It's like a friend telling you the cold, hard truth – making you rethink that double cheeseburger!