fear arousal theory

Question 1

fear arousal theory

Answer 1

• includes messages that are trying to persuade people about the potential harm that might happen to them if they do not accept the message that they are being informed of

Question 2

low fear

Answer 2

• a message that brings little to no fear and does not change behaviour
• the arousal experienced is not unpleasant enough produce the motivational drive needed

Question 3

moderate fear

Answer 3

• produces enough unpleasant arousal to trigger this drive and therefore the recipient is more likely to change their behaviour

Question 4

high fear

Answer 4

• counterproductive: produces unpleasant arousal but does not change behaviour as so much dear is produced, meaning the recipient believes that changing their behaviour will not be enough

Question 5

strength

Answer 5

• janis an feshback (1953): found that, when fear is strongly aroused but not reassured, the audience tend to ignore the message/importance of the threat
• shows that the right level of fear is important in persuading people to change their behaviour

Question 6

weakness

Answer 6

• doesn’t consider other theories of persuasion such as the likelihood model as it only focuses on the fear aspects