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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Dev Rev. 2011 Sep;31(2-3):180–206. doi: 10.1016/j.dr.2011.07.004

Table 2. Examples of Items from Verbatim and Gist Scales Assessing Perceptions of Risks and Benefits.

Gist Measures
 Gist principles Avoid risk. Better safe than sorry. (number endorsed)
 Categorical risk It only takes ONCE to get HIV-AIDS. (agreement ratings)
 Global benefits Overall, for YOU, which of the following best describes the benefits of having sex? (none, low, medium, high)
 Global risks Overall, for YOU, which of the following best describes the risks of having sex? (none, low, medium, high)
Verbatim Measures
 Specific risk I am likely to have HIV-AIDS in the next 6 months (agreement ratings)
 Quantitative risk What are the chances that you have a sexually transmitted disease? (0%, no chance at all, to 100%, absolutely sure)
 Reverse framing # gambles chosen in the gain frame – # gambles chosen in the loss frame (+9 to -9)