Recasting the HIV-risk perception in a social context: The interplay between group-based information and mood

This study was conducted to investigate whether heterosexual perceivers’ appraisal of HIV-risk from unsafe sexual practices could be biased by the availability of group-based information about high-risk groups (i.e., homosexuals) and by the perceivers’ state of mood (i.e., happy vs. sad mood). Specifically, participants were confronted with cartoons portraying heterosexual vs. homosexual partners who were having anal vs. oral intercourses. Participants’ estimation of the risk of HIV-infection was assessed. Results indicated that participants perceived homosexual partners as much more at risk for HIV-infection than heterosexual partners. This pattern of results was stronger for happy than unhappy participants. Finally, participants judged anal, but not oral, unsafe intercourse to be higher risk for homosexuals than heterosexuals. Results were discussed with respect to their theoretical and practical implications.