Self-reported and P3 event-related potential evaluations of condoms: does what we say match how we feel?

Psychophysiology. 2009 Mar;46(2):420-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2008.00775.x. Epub 2009 Jan 20.

Abstract

Research consistently reveals positive self-reported condom evaluations, yet such evaluations often do not predict condom use. Whereas positive self-reports likely reflect social norms regarding prevention of diseases and pregnancy, psychophysiological measures might better assess spontaneous condom evaluations. Here, participants completed a visual oddball task in which condoms and alcoholic beverages were infrequent targets among neutral, positive, and negative context images. Although self-reported condom evaluations were very positive, condom images presented in a negative context produced a smaller P3 than condom images presented in a neutral or positive context, suggesting that spontaneous condom evaluations were more negative than positive. The P3 elicited by alcohol images indicated positive evaluations. The findings underscore the multifaceted nature of evaluations and point to the utility of ERPs for assessing health-related attitudes.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Attitude
  • Condoms*
  • Contraception / psychology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Event-Related Potentials, P300 / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Young Adult