title: Justificatory Information Forefending in Digital Age: Self-Sealing Informational Conviction of Risky Health Behavior.
abstract: This study proposes the idea of justificatory information forefending, a cognitive process by which individuals accept information that confirms their preexisting health beliefs, and reject information that is dissonant with their attitudes. In light of the sheer volume of often contradictory information related to health that is frequently highlighted by the traditional media, this study sought to identify antecedents and outcomes of this justificatory information forefending. Results indicate that individuals who are exposed to contradictory health information, currently engage in risky health behavior, are comfortable using the Internet to search for information, and are currently taking steps to maintain their health are likely to actively select health information that confirms their preexisting notions about their health, and to reject information that is contradictory to their beliefs. Additionally, individuals who engage in justificatory information forefending were also found to continue to engage in risky health behavior. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication , University of Oklahoma.|b Debiasing and Lay Informatics (DaLI) Lab , University of Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Jeong-Nam
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: b Debiasing and Lay Informatics (DaLI) Lab , University of Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Yu Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: c Department of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations , Boston University.
authors.forename: Arunima
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krishna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015982:Bias; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D000073599:Health Risk Behaviors; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged