The Extended Parallel Process Model

1. The Extended Parallel Process Model

2. Fear Appeals • Messages designed to scare people by describing the terrible things that will happen to them if they do not do what the message recommends.

3. Appraisal of Threat • Danger or harm that exists in the environment. • Perceived susceptibility • Perceived severity

4. Appraisal of Efficacy • The effectiveness, feasibility, and ease with which a recommended response impedes or averts a threat. • Response efficacy • Self-efficacy

5. Possible Outcomes • Three responses to a message: • No response • Fear control • Danger control

6. Extended Parallel Process Model Danger Control Process Protection Motivation Adaptive Changes Message Components Self-efficacy Response-efficacy Susceptibility Severity Perceived Efficacy Perceived Threat FEAR Defense Motivation Maladaptive Changes No threat perceived No response Fear Control Process From Witte (1992).

7. Cardiovascular Example:Low Threat Message Components 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 4 times/week = reduced risk of heart disease. • Perceived Threat = Low • Heart disease doesn’t run in my family. • Many people with heart disease live normal lives. • Perceived Efficacy = Irrelevant No threat perceived No response Adapted from Witte & Roberto (in press).

8. Cardiovascular ExampleHigh Threat/Low Efficacy • Perceived Threat = High • Heart disease runs in my family. • Heart disease can be fatal. • Perceived Efficacy = Low • Exercise alone isn’t enough. • I don’t have the time. Message Components 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 4 times/week = reduced risk of heart disease. FEAR Defense Motivation Maladaptive Changes Denial, avoidance, etc. Fear Control Process Adapted from Witte & Roberto (in press).

9. Cardiovascular Example:High Threat/High Efficacy Danger Control Process Protection Motivation Adaptive Changes Exercise • Perceived Threat = High • Heart disease runs in my family. • Heart disease is fatal. • Perceived Efficacy = High • Exercise prevents heart disease. • I can make the time. Message Components 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 4 times/week = reduced risk of heart disease. FEAR Adapted from Witte & Roberto (in press).

10. Extended Parallel Process Model Reproduced with permission from the authors. Council for a Tobacco-Free Ontario, Program Training and Consultation Centre, & The Health Communication Unit (University of Toronto).

11. References Thesenvitz, J. (2000). Understanding and using fear appeals for tobacco control. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Council for a Tobacco-Free Ontario, The Program Training and Consultation Centre and The Health Communication Unit (University of Toronto). Witte, K. & Roberto, A. J.(in press). Fear appeals and public health: Managing fear and creating hope. In L. Frey and K. N. Cissna (Eds.), Handbook of applied communication. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Witte, K. (1992). Putting the fear back into fear appeals: The extended parallel process model. Communication Monographs, 59, 329-349.