1988 Volume 27 Issue 2 Pages 149-156
The present study was designed to investigate the effect of high and low fear-arousing communications (HFC and LFC) on resistance to subsequent counterpropaganda.
After exposure to either HFC, LFC or receiving no communication, subjects were asked to respond to the first questionnaire. One week later, half of the members of the 3 groups were exposed to counterpropaganda, while the other half were not. All subjects completed the second questionnaire.
Results indicated the following. HFC produced greater attitude change toward the adovocated position both immediately and one week after FC presentation, and greater resistance to subsequent counterpropaganda one week after FC presentation than LFC did. HFC also increased fear, perceived danger, counterargumentation to counterpropaganda, and derogation of source credibility of counterpropaganda. It was suggested that these emotional and cognitive responsesmay have some mediating role in the persuasive effect of FC.
