Department or Program
Psychology
Abstract
Despite the effectiveness of condoms in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies, only 49% of college students consistently use condoms during sexual intercourse. The current research utilized hypocrisy induction, a dissonance-based intervention, to increase condom use among undergraduate students. This research consisted of two studies: the first was administered in-person, and the second was conducted via the Internet. Studies 1 and 2 measured the immediate and long-term effects of hypocrisy induction on college students' use of and motivation to use condoms. For both studies, it was hypothesized that hypocrisy participants would demonstrate greater intent for and frequency of safe sex at the one-month follow-up. In both experiments, hypocrisy participants’ long-term motivation to practice safe sex was significantly higher than control participants’. However, hypocrisy participants’ condom use did not increase in Studies 1 or 2. Implications and limitations of the experiments and results are discussed.
Level of Access
Open Access
First Advisor
Langdon, Susan
Date of Graduation
Spring 5-2015
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Benson, Stephanie B., "Hypocrisy Induction to Increase College Students’ Condom Use: A Dissonance-Based Safe Sex Intervention" (2015). Honors Theses. 127.
https://scarab.bates.edu/honorstheses/127
Number of Pages
67
Open Access
Available to all.