Reconsidering Unique Invulnerability in the Context of Sexual Behavior

Authors: Dew A.F.¹; Henley T.B.²

Source: Journal of Gender, Culture and Health, Volume 04, Number 4, December 1999 , pp. 307-313(7)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Unique invulnerability has been defined as the perception that one is less vulnerable than the average person to negative events. This study examined positive outcomes of risky behaviors with respect to unique invulnerability, taking into consideration an individual's knowledge and experience of a given risk. If the phenomenon is truly one of unique invulnerability, then we would predict either no self–other differences for positive outcomes or even an enhanced belief that more desirable outcomes would happen to oneself. We found quite the opposite. Subjects estimated that they would be less likely than others to experience both positive and negative outcomes. These findings invite not only a reconsideration of unique invulnerability, but also provide important new information about risk perception within a sexual context.

Keywords: unique invulnerability; risk perception; risky behaviors; safe sex; sexual knowledge

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Conexant Systems, Newport Beach, California 2: Department of Psychology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi. tbh1@ra.msstate.edu

Publication date: 1999-12-01