Perceived likelihood of experiencing a desirable versus undesirable outcome

In each of 6 studies, some participants were informed that the consumption of certain foods prevents diet-related heart disease; then, they estimated their likelihood of avoiding the disease. Others were informed that failing to consume the same foods contributes to diet-related heart disease; then, they estimated their likelihood of developing the disease. The undesirable outcome was always perceived as less likely than the desirable one. The findings are contrasted with those reported by Bilgin. The difference between the two sets of findings may point to the role event controllability plays in the generation of optimism via motivated reasoning.