BEING GENEROUS TO LOOK GOOD: PERCEIVED STIGMA INCREASES PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN SMOKERS

Research suggests smokers may engage in generous actions as a means of managing or decreasing the stigmatized image they are given. Two studies were performed to examine this stigma management strategy. Study 1 found stigmatized participants - both smokers and nonsmokers - indicated a greater likelihood than control participants to volunteer, a greater interest in volunteering, and willingness to volunteer for a greater number of jobs. Stigmatized smokers were more likely than stigmatized nonsmokers to leave their e-mail address to be contacted about future volunteering. Study 2 revealed perceived stigma is positively correlated with generous behavior in smokers - indicating that the greater stigma one feels, the more generous they become. Adapted from the source document.