Assessing the Impact of Fear-Based Messages on Public Attitudes Toward Illegal Immigration in Iran

This study examined how fear appeals influence public attitudes toward illegal immigration within the Iranian sociopolitical context, using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) as its theoretical foundation. The EPPM posits that individuals respond to fear-based messages based on their perceptions of both threat and efficacy, which makes it a valuable framework for understanding persuasive communication in high-stakes policy domains. Participants (N = ۸۰) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. Both groups completed pre- and post-test surveys measuring their attitudes toward illegal immigration, their support for restrictive immigration policies (charter endorsement), and levels of anxiety and fear. The experimental group was exposed to structured fear-inducing stimuli emphasizing the social, economic, and national security risks associated with illegal immigration, while the control group received a neutral message with no emotional priming. This design enabled the study to assess both emotional and cognitive pathways of persuasion. By comparing intra-group and inter-group changes, the research aimed to clarify how threat-based messaging influences attitude shifts and public endorsement of punitive immigration policies in a politically sensitive setting.

Keywords:

Fear Appeals , Illegal Immigration , Attitude Change , Anxiety , Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) , Social Psychology