scholarly journals Increasing Intention to Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption: A Protection Motivation Theory Based Experimental Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Jane Kothe ◽  
Mathew Ling ◽  
Barbara Mullan ◽  
Anna Klas
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
The Impact

Reducing individual fossil fuel use is an important component of climate change mitigation, but motivating behaviour change to achieve this is difficult. This experimental study tests the impact of Protection Motivation Theory based messages on intention to reduce fossil fuel use in 3803 US adults recruited via Amazon MTurk (mean age = 36.11 years; 51.4% female). Only messages targeting self-efficacy and response efficacy increased intention to reduce fossil fuel use relative to the control group. However, only the self-efficacy message had an impact on its corresponding construct, highlighting the importance of manipulation checks in model testing. Given the urgency of responding to climate change, the potential for additive benefits of effective messages should be considered irrespective of their underlying psychological mechanism. Study preregistration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/2G6BQ. Data related to this manuscript: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/2TRBK.

scholarly journals Protection Motivation Theory and intention to reduce fossil fuel consumption in response to climate change

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Jane Kothe ◽  
Mathew Ling ◽  
Raissa Donadon Berne ◽  
Imogen Russell-Head ◽  
Barbara Mullan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fossil Fuel Consumption ◽  
Intention To Change

Climate change represents a significant threat to society and the ecosystem at large, but many do not respond to this threat. This study investigates whether constructs within Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) explain individuals’ intention to reduce their fossil fuel consumption. US residents (N=541) completed a cross-sectional survey of intention to reduce fossil fuel consumption and PMT constructs. Correlational results were consistent with the PMT; threat appraisal and coping efficacy constructs were correlated with intention to change behaviour. In a regression model, all constructs accounted for unique variance in intention to reduce fossil fuel usage. However, maladaptive response rewards had an unexpected positive relationship with intention in this model. Interestingly, this was not observed in structure coefficients. PMT constructs accounted for 59% of intention to reduce fossil fuel use. These findings support the unique contributions of the PMT constructs in the context of individual pro-environmental behaviours and highlight potential targets for interventions.

scholarly journals Determinants of adherence to COVID-19 measures among the Belgian population: an application of the protection motivation theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris Adriaan Frank van Loenhout ◽  
Kirsten Vanderplanken ◽  
Bénédicte Scheen ◽  
Stephan Van den Broucke ◽  
Isabelle Aujoulat
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Response Efficacy ◽  
Belgian Population

Abstract Background Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Belgian government has implemented various infection prevention and control measures. This study assessed the extent to which the general population in Belgium adhered to these measures, and which determinants were associated with adherence. Methods We undertook an internet survey among a sample of the Belgian population, representative for sex, age, socio-economic status and province. The questionnaire included various demographic, socio-economic and health-related questions, and also drew upon the Protection Motivation Theory as a theoretical framework to measure levels of perceived severity, vulnerability, perceived usefulness of the measures (response efficacy), perceived personal capacity to adhere (self-efficacy), and past and future adherence. Data were collected in Dutch and French, the main languages of Belgium. Results Our study was carried out in September 2020, and the number of respondents was 2008. On average, respondents provided high scores for each of the measures in place in September in terms of response efficacy (range of 3.54–4.32 on 1 to 5 Likert-scale), self-efficacy (range of 3.00–4.00), past adherence (4.00–4.68) and future adherence (3.99–4.61). The measure that overall received the highest scores was wearing a face mask in public spaces, while ‘the social bubble of 5’ generally received the lowest scores. There was a statistically significant relationship between response efficacy and self-efficacy on the one hand and (past and future) adherence on the other hand, in a multivariate model corrected for confounders. Vulnerability and severity did not show statistical significance. Conclusion Risk communication regarding COVID-19 should place a stronger emphasis on helping people understand why implemented measures are useful and how they can be put into practice, more than on increasing fear appeals.

scholarly journals The Effect of Countermeasure Readability on Security Intentions

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-704
Author(s):  
Tim Smit ◽  
Max van Haastrecht ◽  
Marco Spruit
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Human Failure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Countermeasures Research

Human failure is a primary contributor to successful cyber attacks. For any cybersecurity initiative, it is therefore vital to motivate individuals to implement secure behavior. Research using protection motivation theory (PMT) has given insights into what motivates people to safeguard themselves in cyberspace. Recent PMT results have highlighted the central role of the coping appraisal in the cybersecurity context. In cybersecurity, we cope with threats using countermeasures. Research has shown that countermeasure awareness is a significant antecedent to all coping appraisal elements. Yet, although awareness plays a key role within the PMT framework, it is generally challenging to influence. A factor that is easy to influence is countermeasure readability. Earlier work has shown the impact of readability on understanding and that readability metrics make measuring and improving readability simple. Therefore, our research aims to clarify the relationship between countermeasure readability and security intentions. We propose an extended theoretical framework and investigate its implications using a survey. In line with related studies, results indicate that people are more likely to have favorable security intentions if they are aware of countermeasures and are confident in their ability to implement them. Crucially, the data show that countermeasure readability influences security intentions. Our results imply that cybersecurity professionals can utilize readability metrics to assess and improve the readability of countermeasure texts, providing an actionable avenue towards influencing security intentions.

scholarly journals Predicting COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors based on Protection Motivation Theory in Hormozgan, Iran.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roghayeh Ezati Rad ◽  
Hesamaddin Kamalzadeh Takhti ◽  
Mehdi Hassani Azad ◽  
Shokrollah Mohseni ◽  
Teamur Aghamolaei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hypothesis Testing ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
Maladaptive Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Response Efficacy

Abstract Background: The present research aimed to predict the preventive behaviors of COVID-19 in the light of the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT).Methods: The present cross-sectional research was conducted in 2 months (March 2020-April 2020) in Hormozgan Province of Iran. The research population comprised all residents above 15 years of age. They received an online questionnaire survey in two parts, demographic information along with PMT constructs. To analyze the data, independent t-test and one-way anova test, Multiple linear regression and the statistical technique of path analysis and structural equation modeling was used. All statistical calculations and hypothesis testing were performed using spss21 and Amos21 software and a significant level of hypothesis testing was considered to be 0.05Results: A total number of 2,032 subjects participated in this research, the mean age of whom was 34.84±9.8 (R=15-98). The majority of participants were between 31 - 40 years old, female (60.4%), married (72%), urban residents (87.3%), holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher (58.8%) and employed (58.8%). Statistically significant positive correlation coefficients were estimated between preventive behaviors of COVID-19 and perceived vulnerability (r=0.192, p<0.001), perceived severity (r=0.092, p<0.001), response efficacy (r=0.398, p<0.001) ,self efficacy (r=0.497, p<0.001) and protection motivation (r=0.595, p<0.001). Statistically significant negative correlations were found between behavior and maladaptive behavior rewards (r=-0.243, p<0.001) and perceived costs (r=-0.121, p<0.001).Conclusions: The present findings showed that maladaptive behavior reward and fear predicted protective behaviors negatively; response efficacy and self-efficacy predicted protective behaviors positively. The effect of self-efficacy was the strongest among all. The information provided in this research can contribute to policy-making in the country.

scholarly journals Can Protection Motivation Theory Explain Farmers’ Adaptation to Climate Change Decision Making in The Gambia?

Climate ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdoul Bagagnan ◽  
Issa Ouedraogo ◽  
William M. Fonta ◽  
Musa Sowe ◽  
Anne Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
River Region ◽  
Capacity Degradation

In The Gambia, climate change has affected, and continues to affect, the agriculture sector. Thus, there is a need to develop and understand effective agricultural adaptation policies. The present study used protection motivation theory to describe farmers’ adoption of climate change adaptation measures in the Central River Region of The Gambia. Primary data were collected in eight communities of the region. A transect walk was conducted, followed by a survey of farmers (n = 283). Perception data collected referred back to the past 20 years, with stated implementation addressing current adaptation practices. Results showed that the perception variables, namely, severity, ability to withstand, and internal barriers, were significantly correlated with protection motivation, while protection motivation and stated implementation for water conservation technique were strongly correlated. Structural equation modeling confirmed the mediation role of protection motivation between farmers’ “stated implementation” of adaptation measures and their perception of climate variability. A decrease in soil water storage capacity, degradation of the quality of soil surface structure, and a decrease of the length of the growing season are all factors that motivate farmers to implement an adaptation measure. The cost of the implementation and farmers’ vulnerability are factors that prevent implantation of adaptation measures. This study suggested that farmers’ resilience should be improved and adaptation measures should be subsidized in order to make them more accessible to farmers.

Modeling the Impact of Biometric Security on Millennials’ Protection Motivation

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-49
Author(s):  
Benjamin Ngugi ◽  
Arnold Kamis
Keyword(s):  
User Authentication ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
System Response ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Perceived Effort ◽  
Biometric Security ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario ◽  
System Access ◽  
The Impact

Security researchers and managers would like to know the best ways of introducing new innovations and motivating their use. This study applies Protection Motivation Theory to model the coping and threat appraisals that motivate Millennials, who are early technology adopters, to adopt or resist biometric security for system access. One hundred fifty-nine Millennials were given a hypothetical scenario in which system access would be enhanced by biometric security to strengthen user authentication. The authors model the results with PLS and find that Protection Motivation Theory provides a good explanation of the user’s perceptions of biometric security. The model suggests that the users’ protection motivation is influenced directly by the Perceived System Response Efficacy of the biometric system and indirectly by Perceived Effort Expectancy, Perceived Computer Self-Efficacy, Perceived Privacy Invasion and Perceived System Vulnerability. Implications and limitations of the model are discussed.

scholarly journals Review of social media intervention in adult population during COVID-19 pandemic based on Protection Motivation Theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 843
Author(s):  
Muhammad Prima Cakra Randana ◽  
Rizma Adlia Syakurah
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Media Intervention ◽  
The Impact

During COVID-19 pandemic, social media has become a basis for information deployment, it has the potential to change people opinion and solve many issues in this situation. Based on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), threat and coping appraisal were predictors to behavioral responses in pandemics. This study aimed to analyze the impact of social media intervention in adult population during COVID-19 pandemic based on PMT. This review was created using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and data collection from electronic databases such as Pubmed, Mendeley app, Europe PMC, Cochrane Databases, Science Direct, and Wiley Online Library. Inclusion criteria consists of English studies, studies related to the topic and match with required variables. There are five cross-sectional studies involving a total of 2.448 participants that were published in 2020. Among all categories based on included studied, it was shown that cyberchondria, perceived severity and perceived vulnerability are predictors in social media, related to behavioral responses during COVID-19 pandemic. Reducing information overload, related to cyberchondria, via the clear structuring and communication of reliable health information is needed. Hence, educating people on responsible and healthy social media use could help alleviate the observed negative consequences from perceived severity and vulnerability.

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