Appealing to fear: a meta-analysis of fear appeal effectiveness and theories

Tannenbaum, Melanie B

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/78405 Copy

Description

Title

Appealing to fear: a meta-analysis of fear appeal effectiveness and theories

Author(s)

Tannenbaum, Melanie B

Issue Date

2015-04-21

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Albarracin, Dolores

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Albarracin, Dolores

Committee Member(s)

• Kraus, Michael
• Preston, Jesse
• Carpenter, Nichelle
• Vargas, Patrick T.

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• fear appeals
• risk
• health communication
• meta-analysis

Abstract

The effects of fear appeals on attitudes, intentions, and behaviors were examined in a comprehensive meta-analysis. Studies were included if they contained a treatment group exposed to a fear appeal, a valid comparison group, a manipulation of depicted fear, a measure of attitudes, intentions, or behaviors concerning the targeted risk or recommended solution, and adequate statistics to calculate effect sizes. The meta-analysis included 127 papers (9% unpublished) yielding 248 independent samples (NTotal = 27,372) collected from diverse populations. Results showed a positive effect of fear appeals on attitudes, intentions, and behaviors, with the average effect on a composite index being fixed-effects d ̅ = 0.27. Moderation analyses based on prominent fear appeal theories showed that the effectiveness of fear appeals increased when the message depicted higher levels of fear, included efficacy statements, and depicted high susceptibility and severity. Messages were also more influential when the recommended behavior was one-time only, was self-esteem enhancing (hindering) and death was (was not) mentioned, and occurred at a delay when death was mentioned. Finally, fear appeals were more influential when the message’s audience was primarily female, from collectivist cultures, and young adult.

Graduation Semester

2015-5

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/78405

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2015 Melanie Tannenbaum

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