This study was conducted to investigate
whether heterosexual perceivers’
appraisal of HIV-risk from
unsafe sexual practices could be
biased by the availability of groupbased
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
