Using scare tactics to promote safer sex among juvenile detention and high school youth

Abstract

Sensation seeking, or the degree to which individuals desire novel and stimulating experiences, has recently been identified as a critical variable in public health campaign research. Because fear appeals are by definition vivid, graphic, and stimulating, the present study tested the effectiveness of high and low fear appeals among high and low sensation seekers in a high school and juvenile detention center. The results indicated that low sensation seekers were persuaded to adopt safer sex behaviors regardless of the threat level of the fear appeal. High sensation seekers were not persuaded by any presentation. Explanations and recommendations for effectively influencing high sensations seekers are outlined.¹