fear arousal theory

what is the fear arousal theory?

• argues that the relationship between fear arousal and behaviour is curvilinear

• no fear = no change in behaviour

• really high fear = no change in behaviour

• moderate fear = change in behaviour

what did dollard and miller suggest about the theory?

• fear motivates people to change their behaviour

• fear creates unpleasant physiological and psychological arousal

• changing our behaviour to avoid things we fear reduces unpleasant state

• strengthens our behaviour - relief is rewarding

what is the dabbs and leventhal 1966 research?

• fear arousal and tetanus vaccinations

• sent communications to students of the danger of not being vaccinated against tetanus

• low fear = can recover from it without help

• high fear = will die if you get it

• high fear arousal produced the most amount of change

what is the janis and feshbach 1953 research?

• fear arousal and dental hygiene

• 3 separate groups of students had a lecture on dental hygiene

• e.g. strong fear arousal, moderate fear arousal, minimal fear arousal

• strong fear group were more worried than the others, but behaviour change:

• e.g. strong fear group - 8%, moderate fear - 22%, minimal fear group - 36%

evaluation - strengths + weaknesses - dabbs and leventhal 1966

• + dabbs and leventhal supports it - fear arousal does affect behaviour change

• - dabbs and leventhal contradicts it - high fear led to strongest behaviour change

evaluation - strengths + weaknesses - janis and feshbach

• + janis and feshbach does support the idea - high fear arousal is counterproductive

• - janis and feshbach contradicts it - low fear has the highest rate of behaviour change