On 12/30/03 12:48 PM, "Jo-Anne Elder" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> First of all, educating parents about the proven risks of particular
>> behaviors is not a "scare tactic." That is the spin the formula
>> companies and their pediatric minions have decided to go with. Their PR
>> people have instructed them to "stay on message" every single time this
>> issue is discussed in the media by repeatedly referring to "scare
>> tactics."
>>
>
> I'm sorry, but I *do* think emphasizing the idea that not breastfeeding
> causes risks can be defined as scare tactics, because it uses fear as a
> motivator for conversion.

Gosh, now I feel old ... (wondering when I'll get to wise...)

I spent some time almost 20 years ago researching the issue of fear as a
motivator leading to positive change wrt risky behaviour in the early days
of AIDS. This is certainly not a new debate.

Here's an interesting overview of the theory in the context of health
communication, with some recent research references:

http://www.uky.edu/~drlane/capstone/health/fear.htm

-- Jodine Chase

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