Observers' reactions to genetic testing: The role of hindsight bias and judgments of responsibility

In 3 studies, we examined the effect of birth outcome on observers' reactio ns to genetic testing. Participants read a scenario in which a woman declin ed to take a genetic screening test and subsequently gave birth to a child with a genetic disorder (negative outcome) or a healthy child (positive out come). Retrospective judgments of the likelihood that the child would have a genetic disorder were higher given negative than positive outcome knowled ge under conditions of high genetic risk. Moreover, the more likely a negat ive outcome was perceived to be, the more responsible the mother was held f or not taking the genetic screening test Consistent with Weiner's (1993) th eory, responsibility judgments were linked to displeasure and sympathy, wit h sympathy in turn being related to help judgments.