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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Subjective knowledge and fear appeal effectiveness: implications for message design
Robin L Nabi1, David Roskos-Ewoldsen, Francesca Dillman Carpentier
1Department of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. nabi@comm.ucsb.edu
Abstract:
This research investigates the role of perceived health knowledge on the effectiveness of fear-based persuasive appeals. Undergraduates (N = 263) read a strong fear, weak fear, or efficacy-only message encouraging breast or testicular self-examination. As expected, results indicated that men high in subjective knowledge were less reactant and more persuaded by the efficacy-only message whereas those low in subjective knowledge did not evidence this pattern. Contrary to expectation, women high in subjective knowledge had comparable reactions to each of the 3 messages. Implications for fear appeal theory and message design are discussed.
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