Table 1.
Theories and hypotheses tested.
| MBA Aspect | Theory | Hypothesis | Current Meta-Analysis | Relevant Prior Meta-Analyses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Message | LM | High depicted fear will lead to better outcomes than moderate depicted fear | Partial support |
Boster & Mongeau (1984) Sutton (1982) Witte & Allen (2000) |
| CM | High depicted fear will lead to worse outcomes than moderate depicted fear | Not supported | ||
| ES | Strong: Fear appeals that lack efficacy statements will produce negative effects | Not supported |
de Hoog et al. (2007) Earl & Albarracin (2007) Floyd et al. (2000) Milne et al. (2000) Peters et al. (2012) Witte & Allen (2000) |
|
| ES | Weak: Fear appeals that lack efficacy statements will produce weaker effects (less positive or null) relative to fear appeals that include efficacy statements | Supported | ||
| SM | Fear appeals with high depicted severity (and low depicted susceptibility) will positively influence attitudes but will not influence intentions or behaviors | Partial support |
de Hoog et al. (2007) Floyd et al. (2000) Milne et al. (2000) |
|
| SM | Fear appeals with high depicted susceptibility (and low depicted severity) will positively influence intentions and behaviors but will not influence attitudes | Supported | ||
| SM | Fear appeals with high depicted severity and high depicted susceptibility will positively influence attitudes, intentions, and behaviors | Supported | ||
| Behavior | RSAT | Fear appeals will be more effective for one-time versus repeated behaviors | Supported | None |
| PT | Fear appeals will be more effective for detection versus promotion/prevention behaviors | Not supported | ||
| TMT | When fear appeals recommend an SEE behavior, fear appeals that mention death should be more effective than fear appeals that do not | Not supported | ||
| TMT | When fear appeals recommend an SEH behavior, fear appeals that mention death should be less effective than fear appeals that do not | Not supported | ||
| TMT | Fear appeals that mention death (versus not) will be more effective for delayed outcomes | Not supported | ||
| Audience | RFT | Fear appeals will be more effective for female versus male audiences | Supported | None |
| RFT | Fear appeals will be more effective for collectivist versus individualist audiences | Not supported | ||
| TM | Early: Fear appeals will be more effective for people in early TM stages of change | Not supported | ||
| TM | Late: Fear appeals will be more effective for people in late TM stages of change | Not supported |
Note: LM = Linear Model. CM = Curvilinear Model. ES = Efficacy Statements. SM = Stage Model. RSAT = Robertson’s Single Action Theory. PT = Prospect Theory. TMT = Terror Management Theory. RFT = Regulatory Focus Theory. TM = Transtheoretical Model. SEE = Self-esteem enhancing. SEH = Self-esteem hindering.