Citation

Rose JP. J. Health Psychol. 2012; 17(8): 1121-1131.

Affiliation

University of Toledo, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359105311434051

PMID

22313672

Abstract

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.

Language: en