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Perceived probability, perceived severity, and health-protective behavior.

N D Weinstein1

  • 1Department of Human Ecology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08901-8520, USA. neilw@aesop.rutgers.edu

Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association
|March 11, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Health hazard perception is key. Motivation to act depends on both perceived probability and severity, with a significant interaction found between these factors influencing protective behaviors.

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Last Updated: Jul 25, 2026

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Published on: August 1, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Health behavior research
  • Risk perception psychology

Background:

  • Health hazard perception involves evaluating probability and severity.
  • These factors are expected to interact in influencing protective behavior.
  • Previous research has often failed to observe this expected interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between perceived probability and severity of health hazards.
  • To understand how this interaction influences motivation for protective behavior.
  • To explore reasons for the difficulty in detecting this interaction in prior studies.

Main Methods:

  • A case study approach was employed.
  • Data on motivation, probability, and severity were collected for 201 hazards from 12 participants.
  • Individual-level data analysis was conducted.

Main Results:

  • The expected Probability x Severity interaction was identified.
  • Difficulties in detecting this interaction using between-subjects designs were explained.
  • Individuals showed insensitivity to moderate to high probability variations.

Conclusions:

  • The interaction between perceived probability and severity significantly impacts protective behavior motivation.
  • Methodological factors can obscure this crucial interaction.
  • Public health interventions may need to address probability insensitivity.