December 2013 PMID 23690955

The impact of threat appeals on fear arousal and driver behavior: a meta-analysis of experimental research 1990-2011.

Rachel N Carey, Daragh T McDermott, Kiran M Sarma

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Mentions

3
Peak: 2 in Mar 2025
across 2 sources since Nov 2020

Extended reach

188
potential audience

Total likes

0

Video views

12

Mentions per month

Nov 2020 – Mar 2025

Where it's discussed

  • YouTube2 videos
  • X / Twitter1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The participants emphasize that effective risk communication should incorporate subtle and evidence-based messages instead of relying solely on fear and threat, as seen in phrases like 'not all about fear' and 'more subtle evidence-based messaging.' Their tone is cautious and constructive, reflecting a moderate level of engagement and impact, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies rather than dismissing or fully endorsing the research.

AgreementModerate agreement

The discussion shows some support for the idea that messaging should go beyond fear and threat, indicating moderate agreement with a nuanced perspective.

InterestModerate interest

The discussion exhibits moderate interest, with participants expressing a desire for evidence-based and balanced messaging.

EngagementNeutral engagement

The tone is relatively calm and brief, with some insights but limited deep exploration of the research implications.

ImpactNeutral impact

The overall impact appears minimal, as the discussion centers on calling for better messaging rather than directly endorsing or critiquing the study’s findings.

Abstract in brief

  • The meta-analysis reviewed 13 experimental studies from 1990 to 2011, finding that threat appeals reliably increase fear arousal but do not significantly improve driver behavior.
  • While threat messages effectively evoke fear (large effect size), their impact on actual driving outcomes was minimal and not statistically significant.
  • The research suggests that although fear can be successfully triggered, it may not translate into safer driving behaviors, highlighting the need for future studies to explore additional factors influencing the effectiveness of threat-based road safety campaigns.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Kiran Sarma
@KiranSarmaNUIG · X

@patriciaefitz @EmerHigginsTD @FineGael @IrishTimes @roinnslainte @HSELive As long as “hard hitting” isn’t all about fear and threat, and includes more subtle evidence based messaging. https://t.co/kcQ95LqfQz

Nov 19, 2020 · 176 followers View post →

All mentions

Kiran Sarma
@KiranSarmaNUIG · X

@patriciaefitz @EmerHigginsTD @FineGael @IrishTimes @roinnslainte @HSELive As long as “hard hitting” isn’t all about fear and threat, and includes more subtle evidence based messaging. https://t.co/kcQ95LqfQz

Nov 19, 2020 · 176 followers View post →