Extended parallel process model: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|How individuals react to fear-inducing messages}}

The '''extended parallel process model''' ('''EPPM''') is a fear appeal theory developed by communications scholar [[Kim Witte]] that illustrates how individuals react to fear-inducing messages.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Witte K | title = Putting the fear back into fear appeals: The extended parallel process model. | journal = CommunicationsCommunication Monographs | date = December 1992 | volume = 59 | issue = 4 | pages = 329–349 | doi = 10.1080/03637759209376276 }}</ref> Witte subsequently published an initial test of the model in [[Communication Monographs]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Witte K | title = Fear control and danger control: A test of the extended parallel process model (EPPM). | journal = CommunicationsCommunication Monographs | date = June 1994 | volume = 61 | issue = 2 | pages = 113–134 | doi = 10.1080/03637759409376328 }}</ref>

The EPPM was developed by Witte as a response to the significant inconsistencies in fear appeal literature, serving as an extension of previous fear appeal models, hence the use of 'extended' in name 'EPPM'. The model is originally based on Leventhal's Parallel Process Model – a danger and fear control framework that studied how adaptive protective behaviour stemmed from attempts of danger control.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Leventhal H | title = Fear appeals and persuasion: the differentiation of a motivational construct | journal = American Journal of Public Health | volume = 61 | issue = 6 | pages = 1208–1224 | date = June 1971 | pmid = 4110702 | pmc = 1529874 | doi = 10.2105/AJPH.61.6.1208 }}</ref> It also significantly draws from Roger's [[Protection motivation theory]], which proposes two responses to fear-inducing stimuli: threat appraisal and coping appraisal.

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* Audience: The characteristics of the audience receiving the message

Fear appraisals are the mental evaluations made in response to experiencing fear-inducing stimuli and are also known as threat appraisals. Fear appeal literature is primarily focused on understanding key fear appraisal processes in humans, with the intention of using it to drive social [[Campaign|campaigns]] and behavioural [[interventions]].<ref name=":1" />

== Components ==

The EPPM uses persuasive fear-inducing messages to induce intended behavioural responses. WittleWitte details three main processes involved in fear appraisal: the fear appeal ''inputs,'' the message ''processing'' of the inputs, and the ''outputs'', or action taken after evaluating the perceived threat.

=== Fear appeal inputs ===

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The EPPM model is mainly used in [[Social and behavior change communication|social and behaviour change communication]] (SBCC). Practitioners design a general communications program, such as a campaign or an advert, and then test the effectiveness of the program through implementation. SBCC methods in healthcare, education, and marketing have employed the EPPM to induce behavioural change in patients and customers.

Multiple versions of the EPPM are employed in health campaigns. For example, EPPM-based campaigns have helped increase colorectal cancer screening participation among young adults.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Birmingham WC, Hung M, Boonyasiriwat W, Kohlmann W, Walters ST, Burt RW, Stroup AM, Edwards SL, Schwartz MD, Lowery JT, Hill DA, Wiggins CL, Higginbotham JC, Tang P, Hon SD, Franklin JD, Vernon S, Kinney AY | display-authors = 6 | title = Effectiveness of the extended parallel process model in promoting colorectal cancer screening | journal = Psycho-Oncology | volume = 24 | issue = 10 | pages = 1265–1278 | date = October 2015 | pmid = 26194469 | pmc = 7161702 | doi = 10.1002/pon.3899 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Pengchit W, Walters ST, Simmons RG, Kohlmann W, Burt RW, Schwartz MD, Kinney AY | title = Motivation-based intervention to promote colonoscopy screening: an integration of a fear management model and motivational interviewing | journal = Journal of Health Psychology | volume = 16 | issue = 8 | pages = 1187–1197 | date = November 2011 | pmid = 21464114 | pmc = 3162074 | doi = 10.1177/1359105311402408 }}</ref> Other usages of EPPM lie in shaping public perceptions, such as the adverts on lockdown measures and pandemicincreased protocolsHPV duringvaccination theinterest [[COVID-19 pandemic|Covid-19among Pandemic]]LatinX.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Reno vauthors |first1=Jenna TsoyE. D,|last2=Dempsey Tirasawasdichai|first2=Amanda T, Kurpayanidi KIF. |date=20212022-02-18 |title=RolePromoting ofHPV Socialvaccination Mediaamong in Shaping Public Risk Perception during COVID-19 PandemicLatinx: Aan Theoretical Review |journal=International Journalapplication of Managementthe Scienceextended andparallel Businessprocessing Administrationmodel |volumeurl=7|issue=2|pages=35–41|https://doi=.org/10.187751007/ijmsba.1849s10865-5664022-5419.2014.72.100500293-7 |s2cid=234151462 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors =Journal Zhaoof S,Behavioral Wu XMedicine | title volume= From Information Exposure to Protective Behaviors: Investigating the Underlying Mechanism in COVID-19 Outbreak Using Social Amplification Theory and Extended Parallel Process Model46 | journal issue= Frontiers in Psychology1–2 | volume pages= 12324–334 | pages language= 631116en | date doi= 202110.1007/s10865-022-00293-7 | pmid = 3411328035178652 | pmc s2cid= 8185043246905792 | doi issn= 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.631116 1573-3521| doiurl-access = freesubscription }}</ref>

Other usages of EPPM lie in shaping public perceptions, such as in political adverts, climate change messages, and pandemic responses. <ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = von Gottberg C, Krumm S, Porzsolt F, Kilian R | title = The analysis of factors affecting municipal employees' willingness to report to work during an influenza pandemic by means of the extended parallel process model (EPPM) | journal = BMC Public Health | volume = 16 | issue = 1 | pages = 26 | date = January 2016 | pmid = 26757713 | pmc = 4711035 | doi = 10.1186/s12889-015-2663-8 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| vauthors = Roser-Renouf C, Maibach EW, Leiserowitz A, Zhao X |date=July 2014|title=The genesis of climate change activism: from key beliefs to political action |journal=Climatic Change|language=en|volume=125|issue=2|pages=163–178|doi=10.1007/s10584-014-1173-5|issn=0165-0009|doi-access=free}}</ref>

== Criticisms ==

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Reviews have highlighted the many applications of the EPPM model in its 20 years since initial publication <ref>{{Cite journal| vauthors = Maloney EK, Lapinski MK, Witte K |date= April 2011 |title=Fear Appeals and Persuasion: A Review and Update of the Extended Parallel Process Model: Fear Appeals and Persuasion |journal=Social and Personality Psychology Compass|language=en|volume=5|issue=4|pages=206–219|doi=10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00341.x}}</ref> but significant theoretical questions on the operationalization of key constructs remain and not all of its hypotheses have received empirical support.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Popova L | title = The extended parallel process model: illuminating the gaps in research | journal = Health Education & Behavior | volume = 39 | issue = 4 | pages = 455–473 | date = August 2012 | pmid = 22002250 | doi = 10.1177/1090198111418108 | s2cid = 22928121 }}</ref>

Lucy Popova's '''The Extended Parallel Process Model: Illuminating the Gaps in Research''<nowiki/>', is an extensive review on the theoretical and empirical applications of the EPPM. <ref name=":0" /> Popova discovered that the strong theoretical foundations has some inconsistencies in a few of its operational definitions. A systematic review of existing literature on EPPMs found that its propositions had no clear empirical support. The outcomes of fear appeals differ slightly from what the EPPM claims. This questions the practical validity of the EPPM.

== See also ==

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== References ==

{{Reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Attitude change]]