Browsing by Subject "Information avoidance"

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    Exploring the role of emotion and risk-benefit perceptions in information seeking and avoidance
    (2021-08-09) Wang, Wan, Ph. D.; Kahlor, LeeAnn; Atkinson, Lucy; Pounders, Kathrynn; Dudo, Anthony; Whittaker, Tiffany
    People interact with information to form their risk evaluations and seek guidance to respond to hazards. Their information behaviors, as with many other risk responses, are compounds of cognitive and affective decisions. As with many evolving technologies, the application of nanotechnology presents downsides and benefits. Therefore, when evaluating a novel technology, particularly nanotechnology, risk and benefit perceptions, as well as negative and positive emotions, can coexist. To understand the mechanism of how cognitive and affective risk evaluations impact individuals’ technology risk-related information behaviors, this study explores the main effects and interactions effects of risk perception, benefit perception, negative emotions, and positive emotions on information seeking and avoidance behaviors. With the collected survey data, this study conducted eight structural equation modeling analyses. The main findings include: negative emotions and risk perception were better predictors of information seeking, and positive emotions and benefit perception were better predictors of information avoidance. The interaction effects between cognitive and affective risk evaluations were presented and discussed as well.