Understanding the impact of mortality-related health-risk information: a terror management theory perspective.
Four studies explored the effects of providing mortality-related health-risk information from a terror management theory perspective. Study 1 (N = 48) revealed that exposure to information about the mortality-related risks of driving made mortality salient for young male drivers. Studies 2 (N = 60) and 3 (N = 139) demonstrated that young male drivers who perceived driving (fast) to be beneficial for self-esteem reported higher intentions to take driving risks (Study 2) and drive fast (Study 3) after exposure to such information compared to controls. Study 3 further demonstrated that the inclusion of a prime to behave responsibly eliminated this effect. Study 4 (N = 92) revealed that exposure to this prime alongside the mortality-related information generated increased accessibility of responsibility-related constructs and reduced accessibility of mortality-related constructs among young male drivers. The implications of these findings for terror management theory are discussed.
Jessop
Donna C
DC
Department of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK. d.jessop@sussex.ac.uk
Albery
Ian P
IP
Rutter
Jean
J
Garrod
Heather
H
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D003463:Cues; D003469:Culture; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012660:Semantics; D012941:Social Responsibility; D014706:Verbal Learning