Ruiter - Fear arousal (methods of health promotion)

Question 1

Aim:

Answer 1

To examine the effect of fear arousal on attitudes towards participation in early detection activities (breast self-examination for cancer)

Question 2

Method:

Answer 2

Lab experiment - independent measures

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

88 female uni students in the Netherlands aged 20

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

completed a questionnaire to assess pre-experimental attitude towards great self-examination.

had to evaluate the effectiveness of several educational messages about breast cancer and self report fear arousal.

had to read weak (its pleasurable) and strong (could detect cancer at an early stage) arguments and then complete self report.

random allocation to 2x2 condition. Low vs. mild fear arousal alongside weak vs. strong argument.

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

The main effect of manipulated fear was not significant. the main effect was from argument strength, suggesting that argument is more effective than fear.

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

Evoked fear motivates people into more argument based processing, however, they accept the findings may only be applicable to breast self examination and not all health detection behaviours.