Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
11:18
Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
15.8K
Anxiety effects on disaster precautionary behaviors: A multi-path cognitive model.
Philip W Wirtz1, Cynthia A Rohrbeck1, Katherine M Burns2
11 The George Washington University, USA.
Journal of Health Psychology
|August 17, 2017
Summary
Anxiety
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Disaster Preparedness
Background:
- Previous research indicates a negative link between anxiety and health behaviors.
- Anxiety's impact on protective actions, particularly for large-scale threats like terrorism, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the cognitive pathways linking anxiety to preparedness behaviors for terrorist attacks.
- To understand the complex relationship between anxiety and precautionary actions.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized regression analysis on data from 306 adults.
- Key variables included trait anxiety, perceived threat, and self-efficacy.
Main Results:
- Three cognitive pathways were identified through which anxiety influences preparedness.
- Perceived threat positively mediated the relationship, while self-efficacy negatively mediated it.
- An independent negative pathway from anxiety to preparedness was also found.
Conclusions:
- The connection between anxiety and precautionary behavior is multifaceted, with competing directional influences.
- Understanding these pathways can inform interventions to enhance disaster preparedness and reduce negative health outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
256
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...
256
01:20Lazarus's Cognitive Appraisal Theory
2.2K
Cognitive psychologist Richard Lazarus proposed the cognitive-mediational theory of emotions, which emphasizes how individuals' assessments of stressors significantly affect their experience of stress. According to Lazarus, the stress response is determined by a two-step appraisal process: primary appraisal and secondary appraisal. These cognitive appraisals help individuals evaluate the potential impact of a stressor and determine the adequacy of their coping resources.
Primary Appraisal:...
Primary Appraisal:...
2.2K
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
763
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
763
01:09Preparedness and Phobias
385
Human fear responses to certain stimuli, such as darkness, heights, deep water, and blood, can often arise despite the absence of direct negative experiences. This phenomenon is rooted in evolutionary psychology, which posits that humans have developed a predisposition to fear stimuli that historically posed significant survival threats. This predisposition, known as preparedness, suggests that early humans who developed a fear of potentially dangerous entities, such as venomous snakes and...
385
01:18Anxiety: Overview
1.2K
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
1.2K
01:27Panic Disorder
886
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
886