Psychological responses to the threat of nuclear war
A series of three studies explored psychological responses to the threat of nuclear war, and the relationship between attitudes and behavior on this issue. The first was a quasi-experimental study of the influence of exposure to a media depiction of nuclear war, The Day After, on attitudes and behavior, and the influence of such attitudinal variables as denial, perception of control, perception of responsibility, survivability, and spiritual orientation, on the decision to view this film. No effects were found for exposure, but those who experienced a greater sense of control over political events were more likely to view the film. The second study was an experiment on the effects of efficacy enhancing, fear arousing or informational communications, in combination with the previously mentioned attitudinal variables, on retention of relevant information, intentions to act, and political activism on the nuclear arms issue. Fear arousal was found to increase activism for women, but to decrease activism for men. The third study employed structural modeling to examine the relationship between attitudes and behavior on the issue of nuclear war, using data from the experiment. The model supported in this study showed that intentions were directly affected by denial and a sense of power over political events.
- Research Organization:
- Connecticut Univ., Storrs (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7009973
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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