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Mimicry boosts social bias: unrealistic optimism in a health prevention case.
- Source :
- Social Influence; Dec2023, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p1-16, 16p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Unrealistic optimism bias appears when a person perceives oneself – in comparison to peers – as less at risk from threats. This bias has been widely reported and the consequences are clear: it puts one's health in danger. The existing body of literature proposes egocentrism as a mechanism leading to a reduction in this bias. The present paper tests a novel mechanism orienting a person toward others – thus linked with egocentrism – i.e., mimicry. Results showed directly opposing effects: mimicry induced a stronger tendency to perceive oneself as less threatened. This result is not only surprising but especially alarming since mimicry may be used in patient-doctor dialogue which may backfire, leading to resistance to medical recommendations provided by the doctor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- OPTIMISM
EGOISM
IMITATIVE behavior
CORONAVIRUSES
PHYSICIANS
HAZARDS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15534510
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Social Influence
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 174204031
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/15534510.2023.2187880