Title
Fear Appeals, Message Processing Cues, and Credibility in the Websites of Violent, Ideological, and Nonideological Groups
Abstract
AbstractIdeological groups use the Internet to deliver their messages unhindered by the constraints of traditional media. We examined how ideological groups promote their worldview through their websites. Using the elaboration likelihood model ELM, this research used trained coders to examine the websites of nonideological groups n = 37, nonviolent ideological groups n = 36, and violent ideological groups n = 32 for credibility, persuasion processing cues, and interactivity factors. Results of this study found that the websites of violent ideological groups use more fear appeals, were less interactive, and were the least credible of the 3 groups. All 3 groups used more central cues than peripheral suggesting they focused on evidence for their arguments rather than emotion.
Year
DOI
Venue
2014
10.1111/jcc4.12083
Periodicals
Keywords
Field
DocType
Internet,Websites,Ideology,Violence,Group Dynamics,Credibility,Persuasion
Social psychology,Interactivity,Persuasion,Fear appeal,Credibility,Human factors and ergonomics,Ideology,Psychology,Elaboration likelihood model,The Internet
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
19
4
1083-6101
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
2
0.42
8
Authors
7
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Norah E. Dunbar19415.09
Shane Connelly25110.99
Matthew L. Jensen328424.73
Bradley J. Adame4335.06
Bobby Rozzell5262.30
Jennifer A. Griffith6102.35
H. Dan O'Hair750.84