UNREALISTIC OPTIMISM TOWARD AIDS AND MEDIA DEPENDENCY: AN EMPERICAL STUDY BETWEEN KOREAN AND KENYAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Unrealistic Optimism (Optimistic Bias) is the belief that one is more prepared or at a lesser risk than another person. We are naturally inclined to think that we don't deserve to face the worst even when it is eminent that we will suffer unless we move away from the impending danger. AIDS is a catastrophic disease that sends shrieks of fear to many due to its incurable nature. Various studies have been done on the relationship between AIDS and optimistic bias. In this paper, the focus is on the comparison of optimistic bias towards AIDS and to evaluate how media influences the level of unrealistic optimism. The analysis is based on Kenyan university students (N=253) and Korean university students (N=353). The uniqueness of the spread of AIDS in these two countries and the information gap were considered as good factors for analytical research. In this study, social-psychological factors are measured to evaluate the perception of an individual and his place in the society. Variables self respect, personal involvement and social involvement are used to measure the degree of social-psychological placement in the society. The result is compared with the level of optimistic bias among the two samples. This study approaches the effect of media in formation of unrealistic optimism through two variables namely, media usage and media dependency. Results showed that there is a correlation between pattern of media usage and the level of optimistic bias in the two samples. The findings of this study reveal a correlation between media dependency for information about HIV and the level of optimistic bias. The results depict that Kenyan university students have more optimistic bias than Korean students. This study further finds out that there is a relationship between high dependency, low dependency and optimistic bias.