Explaining contradictory relations between risk perception and risk taking.
Different studies have documented opposite relations between perceived risk and behavior. The present study tested a theoretical explanation that reconciles these conflicting results. Adolescents (N= 596) completed alternative measures of risk perception that differed in cue specificity and response format. As predicted by fuzzy-trace theory, measures that emphasized verbatim retrieval and quantitative processing produced positive correlations between perceived risk and risky behavior; risk perceptions reflected the extent to which adolescents engaged in risky behavior. In contrast, measures that assessed global, gist-based judgments of risk produced negative correlations; higher risk perceptions were associated with less risk taking, a protective rather than reflective relation. Endorsement of simple values and principles provided the greatest protection against risk taking. Results support a dual-processes interpretation of the relation between risk perception and risk taking according to which observed relations depend on whether the cues in questions trigger verbatim or gist processing.
Mills
Britain
B
Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Reyna
Valerie F
VF
Estrada
Steven
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent / Q000379:methods; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States