The psychologists chose to vary the font, because it is easy to manipulate in the lab. After the students had all read the instructions, the researchers asked them some questions about the exercise regimen: how long they thought it would take, whether it would flow naturally or drag on endlessly, whether it would be boring, and so forth. They also queried the students about whether they were likely to make exercise a routine part of their day.

The findings were remarkable. Those who had read the exercise instructions in an unadorned, accessible typeface were much more open to the prospect of exercising… Most important, they were more willing to make exercise part of their day.

The Scientific American article seems to put things in a bland and overly simplistic way, but the idea itself is interesting (and at least a little intuitive).

(via Lifehacker)