Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Barbara Nagel Thesis.pdf (581.85 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Risk Comparisons: The Role of Self-Threat vs. Self-Affirmation in Shaping Responses to Social Comparative Risk Information

Nagel, Barbara Jean
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1384505067

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Arts, University of Toledo, Psychology.
Risk information can provide a useful tool for changing self-evaluations and motivating behavioral change. For instance, learning that you are at high risk for gum disease may lead to more negative self-evaluations, more worry, and greater intentions to change one’s habits. However, risk information is often ambiguous and vague, requiring a relevant reference point for interpretation. According to social comparison theory, much of what we desire to learn about ourselves can only be accomplished by examining information about others. Despite this logical premise, the evidence is mixed with regard to whether social comparative risk information is more influential than absolute or self-risk information alone. In the current work, we examined the moderating role of self-threat vs. self- affirmation in terms of changing people’s interest in and sensitivity to social comparison information. In the study, participants answered health-relevant questions upon which feedback was ostensibly based. After this, participants completed a supposedly unrelated writing task wherein we manipulated self-affirmation vs. -threat by having participants write about displaying a valued trait (self-affirmation), not displaying a valued trait (self-threat), or a situation where another person displays a non-valued trait (control). After this, participants received above- or below- average risk feedback for periodontal (gum) disease and answered questions related to their self-evaluations of dental health, emotional reactions to the risk information, behavioral intentions, and behaviors aimed at reducing the risk. Thus, participants were randomly assigned to a 3 (self-threat: threat, control, affirmation) X 2 (comparative risk: above or below average). Results did not reveal any systematic main effects or interactions for self-evaluations, emotions, or behavioral intentions; however, on the behavioral measure (taking a dental health pamphlet) there was tentative evidence of an interaction between self-threat condition and risk feedback. Results are interpreted, and theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Jason Rose, PhD (Committee Chair)
Andrew Geers, PhD (Committee Member)
J. D. Jasper, PhD (Committee Member)
73 p.
Health; Psychology; Social Psychology
social comparison; risk assessment; health risk; self-affirmation; self-threat; risk; health; health behavior

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Nagel, B. J. (2013). Risk Comparisons: The Role of Self-Threat vs. Self-Affirmation in Shaping Responses to Social Comparative Risk Information [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1384505067

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Nagel, Barbara. Risk Comparisons: The Role of Self-Threat vs. Self-Affirmation in Shaping Responses to Social Comparative Risk Information . 2013. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1384505067.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Nagel, Barbara. "Risk Comparisons: The Role of Self-Threat vs. Self-Affirmation in Shaping Responses to Social Comparative Risk Information ." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1384505067

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1384505067
387
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.