Interpersonal determinants of fear of people with AIDS: The moderating role of predictable behavior

Author(s): Koomen, W., Kok, G.

Journal/Book: Basic Appl Soc Psychol. 1997; 19: 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 61-79.

Abstract: Participants imagining contact with a person with or without AIDS showed more anxiety and avoidance of indirect physical contact for the former than the latter target. As predicted from cognitive models of fear dispositions or phobias, these differential reactions appeared to be dependent on the extent to which the target was presented as having personal attributes that indicate high predictability. In particular, participants were more reluctant to engage in indirect physical contact with a person with AIDS than with a healthy person when this person displayed impulsive and unpredictable behavior. No differential reactions were revealed when the target person showed self-controlled and predictable behavior. Differential anxiety reactions were further dependent on the target's sexual orientation and participants' sex. Practical implications for the interaction strategies that persons with AIDS may employ during self-disclosure of AIDS are discussed.

Note: Article Dijker AJ, Univ Maastricht, Dept Hlth Educ, POB 616, NL-6200 MD Maastricht, NETHERLANDS

Keyword(s): ATTITUDES; STIGMA; PERCEPTIONS; LOOMINGNESS; CONTAGION; BELIEFS; ANIMALS

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