'Ask, Don't Tell' key to keeping resolutions

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Want to keep that New Year's resolution? A new report says it might not be so difficult.

Marketing researchers at the University at Albany and three other U.S. colleges have found that asking about positive behavioral changes — such as Will you exercise? or Will you recycle? — as opposed to telling or instructing has a long-term impact in many areas of life.

Professor Ioannis Kareklas of  UAlbany's School of Business says just asking someone about a certain behavior can positively influence a person's chances of doing that behavior in the future. And the effect has been shown to last more than six months after questioning.

The report in the Journal of Consumer Psychology is the first comprehensive look at more than 100 studies examining the question-behavior effect.