Cited by 39Risk Perception and ManagementOptimism, Hope, and Well-beingDecision-Making and Behavioral Economics

Perceived vulnerability to illness threats: The role of disease type, risk factor perception and attributions

Lek, Yin-Yin, Bishop, George d.·1995·Psychology & Health

Abstract

This study examined the tendency for people to be unrealistically optimistic about their personal vulnerability to illness threats. Evidence was found for optimistic biases that were especially strong for illness threats perceived to be life-threatening and related to behaviour. In subjects' explanations for their perceptions of risk, it was found that actions as well as physical and physiological attributes were cited in an optimistically skewed manner, decreasing but seldom increasing one's risk. Also subjects' perceptions of risk were significantly and positively related to perceived similarity to persons at risk for the illness threat as well as to greater experience, whether direct or indirect, with the disease in question. Contrary to predictions, subjects' ratings of the controllability of the illness threat were not related to perceived risk.

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Crossref · 10.1080/08870449508401950

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Authors
Lek, Y.-Y., & Bishop, G. D.
Affiliations
National University of Singapore (SG)
Venue
Psychology & Health
Published
1995-04
Volume
10
Issue
3
Pages
205-217
ISSN
  • 0887-0446 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-8321
OpenAlex
W2072817457
Cited by
39
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Psychology and Health (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Risk Perception and Management
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
Keywords
perceived susceptibility, optimism bias, risk perception, disease type, life-threatening illness, illness behavior, attribution, perceived similarity, disease experience, controllability

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