The Effect of Fear-Inducing Stimuli upon STD Attitudes.

This study tested the effect of varying levels of fearful information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and self-efficacy of condom use on attitudes toward condom use and STD prevention. College students (N=118) from an introductory psychology class were exposed to audiotaped information about several STDs. Those in the high fear condition were simultaneously shown explicit photographic slides of the diseases being described. Those in low fear condition only heard the audiotape. Following the STD information subjects read information about the risk of contracting an STD and suggestions for avoiding STDs. Those in the low self-efficacy condition were informed only that if a partner refused to use a condom during sex they should not have sex with that partner. Those in high self-efficacy condition were also given suggestions on how to convince a partner to use a condom if the partner argued about it. Following all treatments subjects completed the Attitude Toward Condoms Scale. A control group who was not exposed to any manipulations simply filled out the questionnaires. The results suggested that exposure to explicit photographs of diseased human genitalia resulted in a greater interest in taking steps to avoid STDs, as measured by the STD attitude scale. It is possible that self-efficacy manipulation did not produce a difference in groups because neither of the groups was discouraged from using condoms. (ABL)