Interest in and reactions to genetic risk information: The role of implicit theories and self-affirmation

Jennifer M. Taber, William M.P. Klein, Susan Persky, Rebecca A. Ferrer, Annette R. Kaufman, Chan L. Thai and Peter R. Harris

Social Science & Medicine, 2017, vol. 190, issue C, 101-110

Abstract: Implicit theories reflect core assumptions about whether human attributes are malleable or fixed: Incremental theorists believe a characteristic is malleable whereas entity theorists believe it is fixed. People with entity theories about health may be less likely to engage in risk-mitigating behavior. Spontaneous self-affirmation (e.g., reflecting on one's values when threatened) may lessen defensiveness and unhealthy behaviors associated with fixed beliefs, and reduce the likelihood of responding to health risk information with fixed beliefs.

Keywords: Implicit theories; Self-affirmation; Risk; Genetic testing; Body weight; Mindsets; Lay theories; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.08.010

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