The purpose of this study was three fold: 1) to determine if false consensus effects would be found for estimates of sexual behaviors, 2) to determine the directional accuracy of consensus estimates for subscribers and nonsubscribers and 3) to determine if the degree of accuracy of those estimates was influenced by self-esteem, sexual esteem, collective self-esteem, and religiosity. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 821 university students to gather consensus estimates for twelve sexual behavior items. False consensus effects were found for all twelve behavioral items and further analysis was done to determine the directional accuracy of the estimates as well as to determine what motivational factors might influence the degree of accuracy of the consensus estimates. The specific motivational factors examined were self-esteem, sexual esteem, collective self-esteem, and religiosity. These four factors were measured using the following scales: 1) the Self-Esteem Scale (SES) (Rosenberg, 1965), 2) the Sexuality Scale (SS) (Snell & Papini, 1989; Wiederman & Allgeier, 1993), 3) the Collective Self-Esteem Scale Revised (CSES-R) (Luhtanen & Crocker, 1992) and 4) the Scale of Attitude Towards Christianity (Francis & Stubbs, 1987; Francis, 1989). Results of the study indicated that although significant false consensus effects were found for all twelve behavioral items, the directional accuracy of subscriber's estimates of consensus was not consistently or predictably different from the directional accuracy of nonsubscriber's estimates of consensus. A motivation theory for false consensus effects as measured by the self-esteem scale, sexuality scale, collective self-esteem scale, and religiosity scale used in this study was not supported. / Graduation date: 1995

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 126-236).

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Community Medicine, 1989. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-99).

Thesis (M.A. (Health Social Science))--Mahidol University, 2004.

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- AUT University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (ix, 144 leaves ; 30 cm.) in the Archive at the City Campus (T 613.954 WAE)

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1940.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1940.

xv, 179 leaves : / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (M.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Medicine, 1974

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1935.