We typically prefer information that is consistent with our current attitudes, beliefs, and behavior versus information that challenges what we currently think or do. This bias shows up not only in the information we choose for ourselves, but also how we evaluate information we agree (versus disagree) with. Prior work indicates that these biases are more likely to manifest when we are motivated to defend our current attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. In contrast, these biases are reduced when we are motivated to form an accurate view of the world. However, other motives might be at play, for instance what engaging with information signals about important identities. Although self-relevance typically increases engagement with persuasive messages, what happens when identity-relevance is leveraged to bring messages closer? Can features of the environment exacerbate or ameliorate biased processing of persuasive messages? Do we show the same biases when selecting information for liked (versus disliked) others? Why might we be more likely to engage in congeniality biases for liked (versus disliked) others? How does willingness to engage in vicarious selective exposure influence relationship formation and maintenance?
Related Publications
*Derricks, V. & Earl, A. (2019). Targeting increases the weight of stigma: Leveraging relevance backfires when people feel judged. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 82, 277-293.
Earl, A. & *Lewis Jr. N.A. (2019). Health in context: New perspectives on healthy thinking and healthy living. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 81, 1-3.
Earl, A. & *Hall, M.P. (2019). Motivational influence on attitudes. In D. Albarracin & B.T. Johnson (Eds.), Handbook of Attitudes (2nd ed.; pp. 377-403). New York, NY, USA: Taylor and Francis.
*Gainsburg, I., & Earl, A. (2018). Trigger warnings as an interpersonal emotional-regulation tool: Avoidance, attention, and affect depend on beliefs. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 79, 252-263.
*Lewis, Jr., N.A., & Earl, A. (2018). Seeing more and eating less: Effects of portion size granularity on the perception and regulation of food consumption. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 114, 786-803.
Earl, A., Crause, C., Vaid, A., & Albarracín, D. (2016). Disparities in attention to HIV-prevention communications. AIDS care, 28, 1-8. Abstract.
Earl, A. & *Nisson, C.A. (2015). Applications of selective exposure and attention to information for understanding health and health disparities. In R. Scott & S. Kosslyn (Eds.) Emerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. DOI: 10.1002/9781118900772.etrds0013 Abstract:
Earl, A., Albarracín, D., Durantini, M.R., Gunnoe, J.B., Leeper, J., & Levitt, J.H. (2009). Participation in counseling programs: High-risk participants are reluctant to accept HIV-prevention counseling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 668-679. Abstract
Albarracín, D., Durantini, M.R., Earl, A., Gunnoe, J.B., & Leeper, J. (2008). Beyond the most willing audiences: A meta-intervention to increase exposure to HIV prevention interventions by vulnerable populations. Health Psychology, 27, 638-644. Abstract:
Albarracín, D., Durantini, M.R., Earl, A., Gunnoe, J.B., & Leeper, J. (2008). Beyond the most willing audiences: A meta-intervention to increase exposure to HIV prevention interventions by vulnerable populations. Health Psychology, 27, 638-644. Abstract:
Albarracín, D., Leeper, J., Earl, A., & Durantini, M.R. (2008). From brochures to videos to counseling: Exposure to HIV-prevention programs. AIDS & Behavior, 12, 354-362.
Albarracín, D., Noguchi, K., & Earl, A. (2006). Joyce’s Ulysses and Woolf’s Jacob’s Room as the phenomenology of reasoning: Intentions and control as emergent of language and social interaction. Psychological Inquiry, 17, 236-245. Abstract: