Extended Parallel Process Model

Explanations > Theories > Extended Parallel Process Model

Description | So What? | See also | References 

Description

People who are threatened will take one of two courses of action: danger control or fear control. Danger control seeks to reduce the risk. Fear control seeks to reduce the perception of the risk. Danger control is outer-focused and towards a solution. Fear control is inner-focused and away from a solution.

For danger control to be selected, a person needs to perceive that an effective response is available (response efficacy) and that they are capable of utilizing this response to reduce the risk (self efficacy). If danger control is not selected, then action defaults to fear control.

So what?

Using it

If you want a person to take an action, show them the threat, but also ensure they can see that there is a solution which they can use (probably your solution).

Defending

When feeling threatened, pause before taking the ‘obvious’ solution to reduce the threat. Consider who else will benefit from you using the solution.

See also

Coercion, Urban-Overload Hypothesis

References

Witte (1992, 1994)

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