When freedom of choice leads to bias: How threat fosters selective exposure to health information

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.937699
• Publication Date: 2022-10-13T08:30:28Z
• Authors: Oliver Wedderhoff; Anita Chasiotis; Tom Rosman
• Keywords: Moderation; Risk Perception; Information Quality

Selective exposure to online health information can be ascribed two related defense motives: the motivation confirm one’s subjective perceptions and protect relevant parts of self-image, such as physical integrity. Our aim was identify how these motives come into effect in context a threat (fictitious feedback on an alleged heart disease risk). In preregistered study with N = 763 participants, we analyzed impact perceived suggested risk degree bias selecting risk-related fictitious Google search results page. Applying 2 × design experimental factor “risk feedback” quasi-experimental “perceived risk,” formulated six hypotheses. First, expected main selective suggesting no risk, second, hypothesized mean quality rating risk. Third, proposed which suggests fourth, Fifth, interaction between sixth, different forms for each four conditions ratings. Only third hypothesis confirmed: Receiving increased tendency select denying Additional exploratory analyses revealed moderator effects literacy participant age aforementioned relationships. sum, our underline crucial role threat.