Threat Type Moderates Agency Assignment: A Partial Matching Effect

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effects of agency assignment on response to messages advocating threat preparedness, highlighting interactions between agency assignment and threat type. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions crossing human agency vs. threat agency with human ascribed threats vs. threats not ascribed to humans. Two messages were shown in random order in each condition with responses measured after each message. In line with extant research, results showed a significant main effect for agency assignment on behavioral intentions such that, relative to human agency, threat agency increased intentions to follow message recommendations for threat preparedness. The main effect of agency assignment was qualified by an agency assignment by threat type interaction, indicating a partial matching effect on behavioral intentions wherein threat agency led to greater behavioral intentions than human agency for threats not ascribed to humans – but not for threats ascribed to humans. Results, limitations, and implications of the study are discussed.

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