Theory Database - Theory 49: Protection Motivation Theory

Theory Database (prototype)

This is a searchable database of theories of behaviour change that have been formalised according to an Ontology-Based Modelling System.

For more information, see:

West, R., Godinho, C. A., Bohlen, L. C., Carey, R. N., Hastings, J., Lefevre, C. E., & Michie, S. (2019). Development of a formal system for representing behaviour-change theories. Nature human behaviour, 3(5), 526. doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0561-2.
Hale, J., Hastings, J., West, R., Lefevre, C. E., Direito, A., Connell Bohlen, L., Godinho, C., Anderson, N., Zink, S., Goarke, H., and Michie, S. (2020) An ontology-based modelling system (OBMS) for representing behaviour change theories applied to 76 theories [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. Wellcome Open Research.

Theory 49: Protection Motivation Theory

Number of Constructs: 23
Number of Triples: 23

Theory triples

Initiating sources influences Threat appraisal
Initiating sources influences Coping appraisal
Threat appraisal influences Protection motivation
Coping appraisal influences Protection motivation
Protection motivation influences Action or inhibition of action
Fear arousal influences Severity
Environmental sources type of Initiating sources
Intrapersonal sources type of Initiating sources
Observational learning type of Environmental sources
Verbal persuasion type of Environmental sources
Prior experiences type of Intrapersonal sources
Personality factors type of Intrapersonal sources
Biological factors type of Intrapersonal sources
Emotional feelings type of Intrapersonal sources
Severity positively influences Threat appraisal
Vulnerability positively influences Threat appraisal
Maladaptive response positively influences Threat appraisal
Intrinsic rewards part of Maladaptive response
Extrinsic rewards part of Maladaptive response
Response efficacy part of Adaptive response
Self-efficacy part of Adaptive response
Adaptive response positively influences Coping appraisal
Response costs positively influences Coping appraisal

Theory illustration

Theory Reference

Rogers, R. W. (1975). A protection motivation theory of fear appeals and attitude change. Journal of Psychology, 91, 93-114.