Citation

Shen L. Health Commun. 2016; 32(11): 1331-1341.

Affiliation

Department of Communication Arts & Sciences , Pennsylvania State University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10410236.2016.1220043

PMID

27690661

Abstract

The overwhelming majority of fear appeal research came from the between-individuals approach and yielded consistent evidence for a linear fear-persuasion relationship. A recent review suggested that the within-individuals approach might be more appropriate. Studies that measured fear at multiple time points have consistently revealed a curvilinear association between fear and persuasion predicted by the drive model. A Web-based experiment (N = 454) using tobacco warning labels was conducted to replicate the inverted-U shape curvilinear relationship between fear and persuasion, and to revisit the role of fear in fear appeal theories.

RESULTS showed that the inverted-U fear curve positively predicted persuasion and reduced maladaptive responses, and that the linear trajectory of fear positively predicted maladaptive responses and failure of persuasion.

Language: en