Title:
Comprehension of health risk probabilities: the roles of age, numeracy, format, and mental representation

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dc.contributor.advisor Rogers, Wendy A.
dc.contributor.author Fausset, Cara Bailey en_US
dc.contributor.committeeMember Durso, Frank
dc.contributor.committeeMember Echt, Katharina
dc.contributor.committeeMember Fischer, Ute
dc.contributor.committeeMember Walker, Bruce
dc.contributor.department Psychology en_US
dc.date.accessioned 2012-09-20T18:20:34Z
dc.date.available 2012-09-20T18:20:34Z
dc.date.issued 2012-07-02 en_US
dc.description.abstract Probabilities, an essential dimension of risk communication, can be presented in various formats including frequencies (e.g., 1 in 10), percentages (e.g., 10%), or verbal phrases (e.g., unlikely); the literature is mixed concerning which format best supports comprehension. Additionally, it is not well understood how people who vary in their level of numeracy understand those probabilities. The goal of the present three-phase within-participant study was to understand how the factors of format and numeracy influence comprehension and mental representations of probabilities for younger and older adults. Overall, the results of this research clearly indicated that comprehension and mental representation of health risk probabilities are influenced by format, age, and numeracy. To best support comprehension and comparison of health risk probabilities for younger adults and healthy older adults with varying numeracy, percent format should be used. en_US
dc.description.degree PhD en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/1853/44832
dc.publisher Georgia Institute of Technology en_US
dc.subject Risk communication en_US
dc.subject Probability en_US
dc.subject Health numeracy en_US
dc.subject Aging en_US
dc.subject.lcsh Informed consent (Medical law)
dc.subject.lcsh Number concept
dc.subject.lcsh Comprehension
dc.title Comprehension of health risk probabilities: the roles of age, numeracy, format, and mental representation en_US
dc.type Text
dc.type.genre Dissertation
dspace.entity.type Publication
local.contributor.corporatename College of Sciences
local.contributor.corporatename School of Psychology
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication 85042be6-2d68-4e07-b384-e1f908fae48a
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication 768a3cd1-8d73-4d47-b418-0fc859ce897d
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