Risk perception and prototype perception: Independent processes
predicting risk behavior.
Bill Thornton, Frederick X. Gibbons, Meg Gerrard
(2002) Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(7),
986-999.
In three studies, this research examined the relative influence of
two social-cognitive processes, risk perception and prototype perception, on
the willingness of young adults to engage in unprotected sex. In the first two studies, despite
participants' expressed intentions to engage in protected sex, perceived risk
and prototype perception processes were independently predictive of their
willingness to engage in unprotected sex.
In a third study, prototype perception and risk perception independently
predicted willingness to engage in unprotected sex, which, in turn, predicted
actual contraceptive behavior 6 mo later.
Although the two constructs have some commonality reflecting asocial
comparison basis, results from all three studies suggest that they embody some
unique or independent processes that can be differentially elicited.