Date of Award
3-1989
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Michael S. Wogalter
Second Advisor
Dr. Barbara K. Sholley
Third Advisor
Dr. Scott T. Allison
Abstract
This study attempted to determine if accident scenario analysis reduces accident frequency misestimations and leads to heightened precautionary intent for products. Subjects generated or were provided with scenarios and made estimates. Other subjects made estimates at varying paces without analysis. These and an additional group then rated their precautionary intent for the products. Subjects also gave rating's for confidence in their estimations reported injury experience related to the products. No differences were found among the group correlations. Analyses showed that the Scenario groups performed no better and sometimes worse than the other groups. The Hurried subjects reported lower precautionary intent ratings than other groups. Subjects with injury experience reported higher precautionary intent than subjects without such experience. No relationship was found between precautionary intent and frequency estimates. It is concluded that personal knowledge of accidents rather than general knowledge of accidents or frequencies may be a better predictor of intended behavior.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Elaine G., "Risk perception and precautionary intent for common consumer products" (1989). Master's Theses. 519.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/519