Jennifer L Howell1, James A Shepperd. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Florida, PO Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611-2250, USA. jenny.howell@ufl.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although knowledge can be powerful and bring a variety of important benefits, people often opt to remain ignorant. PURPOSE: We propose that people are particularly inclined to remain ignorant when learning information could obligate undesirable behavior. METHOD: In three studies, participants completed an online risk calculator and then learned that receiving high-risk feedback from the calculator would obligate them to engage in a behavior that was either highly undesirable (e.g., undergoing a cervical exam and taking medication for the rest of their life) or only slightly undesirable (e.g., having their cheek swabbed and taking medication for 2 weeks). We then offered participants the opportunity to receive risk feedback from the calculator. RESULTS: Across all studies, participants more often avoided feedback when it could obligate highly undesirable behavior compared with mildly undesirable behavior. CONCLUSION: People decline learning their risk information more often when doing so obligates undesirable behavior in response.
BACKGROUND: Although knowledge can be powerful and bring a variety of important benefits, people often opt to remain ignorant. PURPOSE: We propose that people are particularly inclined to remain ignorant when learning information could obligate undesirable behavior. METHOD: In three studies, participants completed an online risk calculator and then learned that receiving high-risk feedback from the calculator would obligate them to engage in a behavior that was either highly undesirable (e.g., undergoing a cervical exam and taking medication for the rest of their life) or only slightly undesirable (e.g., having their cheek swabbed and taking medication for 2 weeks). We then offered participants the opportunity to receive risk feedback from the calculator. RESULTS: Across all studies, participants more often avoided feedback when it could obligate highly undesirable behavior compared with mildly undesirable behavior. CONCLUSION:People decline learning their risk information more often when doing so obligates undesirable behavior in response.
Authors: Jennifer M Taber; Jennifer L Howell; Amber S Emanuel; William M P Klein; Rebecca A Ferrer; Peter R Harris Journal: Psychol Health Date: 2015-09-28
Authors: Jennifer M Taber; William M P Klein; Rebecca A Ferrer; Katie L Lewis; Peter R Harris; James A Shepperd; Leslie G Biesecker Journal: Ann Behav Med Date: 2015-08
Authors: Amber S Emanuel; Marc T Kiviniemi; Jennifer L Howell; Jennifer L Hay; Erika A Waters; Heather Orom; James A Shepperd Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2015-10-27 Impact factor: 4.634