Asymmetry of doubt in medical self-diagnosis

"The ambiguity of "uncertain wellness

Bibliographic Data

ID6206682
AuthorsDelia Cioffi (University of Houston, corresponding author)
Year1991
Volume61
Issue6
Pages969-980
Publication date1991-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/0022-3514.61.6.969
PMID1774634
OpenAlexW2069767452, W4229993591
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited7

In 2 studies Ss received a clear or an unclear diagnosis, indicating either disease or no disease. In Experiment 1, Ss responded to a hypothetical bacteria test. In Experiment 2, Ss performed 2 saliva tests purportedly measuring risk for pancreatic disorders. Responses to the unclear well diagnosis were unique in several ways. Ss thought the test more invalid, inferred a greater likelihood of illness from a 2nd identical result, saw the disorder as more pernicious, and held no self-protective beliefs about the test or the disease. Moreover, desire for treatment among these Ss was as great as among those receiving a clear diagnosis of illness. Possible mechanisms are discussed, as are potential applications to clinical issues and to the development and maintenance of hypochondriacal health concerns.

Ambiguity · Ambiguity tolerance · Asymmetry · Disease · Illness behavior · Pathology · Psychiatry · Test (biology · Clinical Psychology · Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Skills · Medicine · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Philosophy · Psychology · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Social Psychology

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