Debiasing comparative optimism and increasing worry for health outcomes.
Comparative optimism - feeling at less personal risk for negative outcomes than one's peers - has been linked to reduced prevention efforts. This study examined a novel debiasing technique aimed at simultaneously reducing both indirectly and directly measured comparative optimism. Before providing direct comparative estimates, participants provided absolute self and peer estimates in a joint format (same computer screen) or a separate format (different computer screens). Relative to the separate format condition, participants in the joint format condition showed (1) lower comparative optimism in absolute/indirect measures, (2) lower direct comparative optimism, and (3) heightened worry. Implications for risk perception screening are discussed.
University of Toledo, USA. Jason.Rose4@utoledo.edu
Jason P
JP
Rose
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015982:Bias; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009042:Motivation; D010379:Peer Group; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011936:Reality Testing; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult