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 = Communication 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 = Communication Monographs | date = June 1994 | volume = 61 | issue = 2 | pages = 113–134 | doi = 10.1080/03637759409376328 }}</ref>

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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]]{{dn|date=March 2022}} and behavioural [[interventions]]{{dn|date=March 2022}}.<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> and increased HPV vaccination interest among LatinX.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Reno |first1=Jenna E. |last2=Dempsey |first2=Amanda F. |date=2022-02-18 |title=Promoting HPV vaccination among Latinx: an application of the extended parallel processing model |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00293-7 |journal=Journal of Behavioral Medicine |volume=46 |issue=1–2 |pages=324–334 |language=en |doi=10.1007/s10865-022-00293-7 |pmid=35178652 |s2cid=246905792 |issn=1573-3521|url-access=subscription }}</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 ==