Umeå Economic Studies, Department of Economics, Umeå University
No 803:
Risk and Rationalization – The role of affect and cognitive dissonance for sexual risk taking
Andréa Mannberg ()
Abstract: This paper analyzes the mechanisms underlying excessive
sexual risk taking in the presence of HIV. Drawing ideas from psychology on
decision-making processes and risk evaluation, a theoretical model
interacting affect-induced myopia and cognitive dissonance is developed and
analyzed. The results of the theoretical analysis suggest that the effect
of rationalization of personal risk depends on the risk of being HIV
positive. Although rationalization causes excessive risk taking behavior
for individuals with a relatively low lifetime risk, it may prevent
fatalism among individuals whose lifetime risk of HIV is perceived as
overwhelming.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Self-control; Time inconsistency; Dissonance theory; Regret; (follow links to similar papers)
JEL-Codes: D81; D84; D91; I12; (follow links to similar papers)
38 pages, April 21, 2010
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