The Relevance of Formidability in Subjective Feelings of Fear in a Digital World

• In Event: Giving Voice to Evolutionary Theory in Communication Science

Abstract

This study seeks to understand how an individual’s formidability influences the subjective experience of fear using a video game that simulates predation. Parker’s (1974) resource holding potential (RHP) theory provides the conceptual definition of formidability. Our framework connects RHP theory (Parker, 1974) to motivational theory of emotion (Cacioppo & Gardner, 1999) and dynamic human-centered communication systems theory (DHCCST; A. Lang, 2014).

Authors

• Teresa Lynch, The Ohio State University

• Annie Lang, Indiana U