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.