An Examination of Surprise and Emotions in the Processing of Anecdotal Evidence

Low-probability and atypical cases are commonly used as anecdotal evidence to support arguments that are divergent from general medical knowledge, thus challenging current efforts of health promotion and education. The present study proposes an emotion-based model that centers on surprise to explain the effects of critical anecdotal evidence information on risk perception, need for uncertainty reduction, and information searching behavior. Using experimental design and two-group path structural equation models, the study results supported a key role of surprise followed by two development routes that led to a series of attitudinal and behavioral changes after exposure to anecdotal evidence. First, surprise caused a group of correlated negative emotions (sadness, fear, and anger). Second, negative emotions were part of the intermediate stage that subsequently resulted in risk perception and need for uncertainty reduction prior to information seeking behaviors. The research provides a model to explain and predict the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes associated with anecdotal evidence.