Promoting the organ donor card: a causal model of persuasion effects.

Due to the present critical shortage of donor organs available for transplantation, effective communication strategies are necessary to heighten public commitment to donation. The promotion of organ donor card-signing may be a successful vehicle in the achievement of this goal. Based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion effects, evidence of the motivation for organ donor card-signing, and examination of previous donation message tests, this study proposes and tests a causal model of response to organ donor card appeals. The inter-relationship of values, empathy arousal, and issue involvement was found to be a significant driving force in the persuasive process for the behavioral intention to sign an organ donor card. Implications of these findings for future research are addressed.

[1]  R. Evans,et al.  The potential supply of organ donors. An assessment of the efficacy of organ procurement efforts in the United States. , 1992, JAMA.

[2]  Melvin J. Voigt,et al.  Progress in Communication Sciences , 1982 .

[3]  C. I. Hovland,et al.  Social Judgment: Assimilation and Contrast Effects in Communication and Attitude Change , 1981 .

[4]  R. L. Horton,et al.  A model of willingness to become a potential organ donor. , 1991, Social science & medicine.

[5]  Courtney Goodmonson,et al.  The Relationship of Commitment-Free Behavior and Commitment Behavior: A Study of Attitude Toward Organ Transplantation , 1971 .

[6]  Sandi W. Smith,et al.  Memorability and Persuasiveness of Organ Donation Message Strategies , 1991 .

[7]  R. Harris,et al.  Psychological Factors Influencing Decisions to Donate Organs , 1987 .

[8]  A. Isen,et al.  Positive affect, cognitive processes, and social behavior. , 1987 .

[9]  R. L. Horton,et al.  Knowledge regarding organ donation: identifying and overcoming barriers to organ donation. , 1990, Social science & medicine.

[10]  K. Perkins.  The shortage of cadaver donor organs for transplantation. Can psychology help? , 1987, The American psychologist.

[11]  J. P. Rushton,et al.  Altruism and helping behavior : social, personality, and developmental perspectives , 1981 .

[12]  D. A. Kenny,et al.  The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. , 1986, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[13]  Kenneth A. Bollen,et al.  Structural Equations with Latent Variables , 1989 .

[14]  Karen O'Quin,et al.  Influence of self-reported distress and empathy on egoistic versus altruistic motivation to help. , 1983 .

[15]  J. Zaichkowsky.  Measuring the Involvement Construct , 1985 .

[16]  L. Siminoff,et al.  Public Policy Governing Organ and Tissue Procurement in the United States , 1995, Annals of Internal Medicine.

[17]  D. Manninen,et al.  Public attitudes and behavior regarding organ donation. , 1985, JAMA.

[18]  A. Caplan.  Organ procurement: it's not in the cards. , 1984, The Hastings Center report.

[19]  Herbert H. Hyman,et al.  Readings in reference group theory and research , 1969 .

[20]  J. Dovidio,et al.  Chapter 12 – Responsive Bystanders: The Process of Intervention1 , 1982 .

[21]  Peter Clarke,et al.  New models for mass communication research , 1973 .

[22]  J. Prottas,et al.  Encouraging altruism: public attitudes and the marketing of organ donation. , 1983, The Milbank Memorial Fund quarterly. Health and society.

[23]  V. Derlega,et al.  Cooperation and Helping Behavior: Theories and Research , 1982 .

[24]  Michael L. Ray,et al.  Marketing communication and the hierarchy-of-effects , 1973 .

[25]  F. Winkel.  Public communication on donorcards: a comparison of persuasive styles. , 1984, Social science & medicine.

[26]  E. Maibach,et al.  Cognitive Responses to AIDS Information , 1990 .

[27]  Horton Rl.  Marketing the concept of becoming a potential organ donor. , 1991 .

[28]  J. Dovidio,et al.  Helping behavior and altruism: an empirical and conceptual overview , 1984 .

[29]  Nancy Eisenberg,et al.  The Development of Prosocial Behavior , 1984 .

[30]  M. Rokeach.  The Nature Of Human Values , 1974 .

[31]  John T. Cacioppo,et al.  The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion , 1986, Advances in Experimental Social Psychology.

[32]  R. Apsler,et al.  Warning, personal involvement, and attitude change. , 1968, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[33]  A. Woodside,et al.  Personal Values and Consumer Psychology , 1984 .

[34]  J. Grunig,et al.  Managing public relations , 1984 .