Abstract
QUESTION: How have theorists and empirical researchers treated the human tendency to avoid discomforting information?
DATA SOURCES: A historical review (1890-2004) of theory literature in communication and information studies, coupled with searches of recent studies on uptake of genetic testing and on coping strategies of cancer patients, was performed.
STUDY SELECTION: The authors' review of the recent literature included searches of the MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and CINAHL databases between 1992 and summer of 2004 and selective, manual searches of earlier literature. Search strategies included the following subject headings and key words: MeSH headings: Genetic Screening/psychology, Decision Making, Neoplasms/diagnosis/genetics/psychology; CINAHL headings: Genetic Screening, Genetic Counseling, Anxiety, Decision Making, Decision Making/Patient; additional key words: avoidance, worry, monitoring, blunting, cancer. The "Related Articles" function in MEDLINE was used to perform additional "citation pearl" searching.
MAIN RESULTS: The assumption that individuals actively seek information underlies much of psychological theory and communication practice, as well as most models of the information-seeking process. However, much research has also noted that sometimes people avoid information, if paying attention to it will cause mental discomfort or dissonance. Cancer information in general and genetic screening for cancer in particular are discussed as examples to illustrate this pattern.
CONCLUSION: That some patients avoid knowledge of imminent disease makes avoidance behavior an important area for social and psychological research, particularly with regard to genetic testing.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2005
Repository Citation
Case, Donald O.; Andrews, James E.; Johnson, J. David; and Allard, Suzanne L., "Avoiding versus Seeking: The Relationship of Information Seeking to Avoidance, Blunting, Coping, Dissonance, and Related Concepts" (2005). Information Science Faculty Publications. 28.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/slis_facpub/28
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Journal of the Medical Library Association, v. 93, no. 3, p. 353-362.
© 2005 the authors
Readers may copy articles without permission of the copyright owner(s), as long as the author and the Medical Library Association are acknowledged in the copy and the copy is used for educational, not-for-profit purposes.