First- and Third-Person Effects of Alcohol Advertising on Chinese College Students

Alcohol consumption among Chinese college students has become a serious problem. The present research examines the relationships among attitudes towards alcohol advertising, attitudes towards alcohol products, the perceived influences of alcohol advertising on the self, the perceived influences of alcohol advertising on others, and attitudes toward government restrictions on alcohol advertising. Data were collected from 578 Chinese college students via an online survey. The results supported the hypothesized relationships between attitude toward alcohol products and alcohol advertising, as well as the relationship between attitude toward alcohol advertising and perceived influence of alcohol advertising on oneself. Results also supported the looking glass perception hypothesis whereby the perceived influence of alcohol advertising on oneself (first-person effect) had strong influence on the perceived influence on others (third-person effect) which in turn led to greater support for restrictions on alcohol advertising.