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Young Adults’ Intentions toward the Prevention of Microplastic Pollution in Taiwan: Examining Personality and Information Processing in Fear-Appeal Communication

Author

Listed:
  • Shu-Chu Sarrina Li

    (Institute of Communication Studies, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan)

  • Huai-Kuan Zeng

    (Institute of Communication Studies, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan)

  • Shih-Yu Lo

    (Institute of Communication Studies, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan)

Abstract

This study adopted the extended parallel process model (EPPM) and dual process models to examine how recipients’ reactance proneness affected the appraisal of threat and efficacy, which, in turn, influenced their use of information-processing modes, attitudes, and behavioral intentions regarding the mitigation of microplastic pollutions in Taiwan. An experiment was conducted using 362 college students as the subjects. The results yielded three conclusions: (1) Fear-induced communication was an effective persuasive approach because this approach was more likely to guide the recipients to adopt a systematic mode to process messages. (2) Recipients’ reactance proneness was discovered to first affect their perceived threat and perceived efficacy, which, in turn, influenced their attitudes and behavioral intention regarding the prevention of microplastic pollution, demonstrating that individual differences mediate fear-appeal messages to affect persuasive outcomes. (3) Perceived threat was important for fear-appeal messages to obtain persuasive outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Shu-Chu Sarrina Li & Huai-Kuan Zeng & Shih-Yu Lo, 2022. "Young Adults’ Intentions toward the Prevention of Microplastic Pollution in Taiwan: Examining Personality and Information Processing in Fear-Appeal Communication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:14336-:d:961142
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott T. Armbruster & Rajesh V. Manchanda & Ngan Vo, 2022. "When Are Loss Frames More Effective in Climate Change Communication? An Application of Fear Appeal Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-16, June.
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