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Perceived breast cancer risk: Heuristic reasoning and search for a dominance structure

Publication ,  Journal Article
Katapodi, MC; Facione, NC; Humphreys, JC; Dodd, MJ
Published in: Social Science and Medicine
2005

Studies suggest that people construct their risk perceptions by using inferential rules called heuristics. The purpose of this study was to identify heuristics that influence perceived breast cancer risk. We examined 11 interviews from women of diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds who were recruited from community settings. Narratives in which women elaborated about their own breast cancer risk were analyzed with Argument and Heuristic Reasoning Analysis methodology, which is based on applied logic. The availability, simulation, representativeness, affect, and perceived control heuristics, and search for a dominance structure were commonly used for making risk assessments. Risk assessments were based on experiences with an abnormal breast symptom, experiences with affected family members and friends, beliefs about living a healthy lifestyle, and trust in health providers. Assessment of the potential threat of a breast symptom was facilitated by the search for a dominance structure. Experiences with family members and friends were incorporated into risk assessments through the availability, simulation, representativeness, and affect heuristics. Mistrust in health providers led to an inappropriate dependence on the perceived control heuristic. Identified heuristics appear to create predictable biases and suggest that perceived breast cancer risk is based on common cognitive patterns. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Social Science and Medicine

DOI

Publication Date

2005

Volume

60

Issue

2

Start / End Page

421 / 432

Related Subject Headings

  • Women's Health
  • Risk Assessment
  • Public Health
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Narration
  • Middle Aged
  • Logic
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Interpersonal Relations
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
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Katapodi, M. C., Facione, N. C., Humphreys, J. C., & Dodd, M. J. (2005). Perceived breast cancer risk: Heuristic reasoning and search for a dominance structure. Social Science and Medicine, 60(2), 421–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.05.014
Katapodi, M. C., N. C. Facione, J. C. Humphreys, and M. J. Dodd. “Perceived breast cancer risk: Heuristic reasoning and search for a dominance structure.” Social Science and Medicine 60, no. 2 (2005): 421–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.05.014.
Katapodi MC, Facione NC, Humphreys JC, Dodd MJ. Perceived breast cancer risk: Heuristic reasoning and search for a dominance structure. Social Science and Medicine. 2005;60(2):421–32.
Katapodi, M. C., et al. “Perceived breast cancer risk: Heuristic reasoning and search for a dominance structure.” Social Science and Medicine, vol. 60, no. 2, 2005, pp. 421–32. Manual, doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.05.014.
Katapodi MC, Facione NC, Humphreys JC, Dodd MJ. Perceived breast cancer risk: Heuristic reasoning and search for a dominance structure. Social Science and Medicine. 2005;60(2):421–432.

Published In

Social Science and Medicine

DOI

Publication Date

2005

Volume

60

Issue

2

Start / End Page

421 / 432

Related Subject Headings

  • Women's Health
  • Risk Assessment
  • Public Health
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Narration
  • Middle Aged
  • Logic
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Interpersonal Relations