Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

5-1999

Publisher

International Communication Association

Source Publication

ICA Annual Convention

Abstract

Based in part on Eagly and Chaiken’s (1993) Heuristic-Systematic model of information processing, we develop and test part of a model that focuses on characteristics of individuals that might predispose them to seek and process information about health and environmental risks in different ways. Specifically, the part of the model being tested proposes that three main predictors —(1) the need for sufficient information to allow one to deal with the risk, (2) one’s perceived personal capacity to acquire needed information, and (3) beliefs about the usefulness of information in various channels — will influence the extent to which a person will seek out this risk information in both routine and non-routine channels and the extent to which he or she will spend time and effort analyzing the risk information critically. Results indicate that information (in)sufficiency, as hypothesized, is associated positively with non-routine seeking of information and systematic processing of it, and negatively with heuristic processing of information and avoidance of it. Individuals were less likely to avoid risk information, and instead were likely to process it heuristically and, especially, systematically if they believe that the channels contain essential processing cues. Capacity, however, did not relate to information seeking and processing in the manner expected. Results indicate the model is useful for examining audience members’ communication responses to risks.

Comments

Author version. "The Relationship of Information Sufficiency to Seeking and Processing Risk Information." A Paper presented to the Mass Communication Division, International Communication Association, 1999 Annual Convention, San Francisco CA, May. Link. ©1999 The Author. Used with permission.

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