Dissertation Information for John Chapin NAME: - John Chapin
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Rutgers University (USA) (1997)
ADVISORS: - Lisa Henricksen
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Robert Kubey - Linda Steiner - Gary Kreps
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: Third-person effect and optimistic bias: An investigation of sex risk perception among at-risk youth
Abstract: Despite having accurate knowledge of health risks associated with risky behaviors, adolescents mis-perceive their personal risk to health hazards relative to the risk of others. Weinstein (1984) describes such misperceptions as optimistic bias. Communication studies offer a similar concept, the third-person effect (Davison, 1983). The third-person effect predicts that individuals believe the media affect others more than themselves.
The primary purpose of the study is to document optimistic bias and the third-person effect in a neglected sample: urban, minority, "at-risk" youth. Existing research focuses almost exclusively on white college students. By reviewing the relevant literatures and combining existing knowledge of both concepts, the study also seeks to bridge a gap between psychology and communication by determining to what extent optimistic bias and the third-person effect co-vary in one sample. Influences of individual differences and message variables are also explored.
A total of 228 minority "at-risk" youth enrolled in academic enrichment programs in urban New Jersey viewed televised safer sex messages and completed surveys over a period of six months. Both optimistic bias and the third-person effect are found in the sample, indicating that each are appropriate frames for studying sex risk perception among urban, minority "at-risk" youth. A moderate inverse relationship between optimistic bias and third-person effect is found, suggesting that the two concepts are related, but each contributes uniquely to the understanding of health risk perception. Linear regression analysis suggests that optimistic bias is best predicted by self-esteem, third-person effect is best predicted by attitudes toward safer sex messages (the media).
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MPACT Scores for John Chapin A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:10:33
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