The effects of information processing and message quality on attitudes toward the AMBER Alert System

Despite its popularity, the AMBER Alert system might be an ineffective means of addressing the problem of stranger-child abduction and have unintended negative consequences. To better understand the mechanisms underlying unquestioned public support for AMBER Alert, the current study examined the eff...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Sicafuse, Lorie L. (Author)
Contributors: Miller, Monica K.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2012
In: Applied psychology in criminal justice
Year: 2012, Volume: 8, Issue: 2, Pages: 69-86
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Keywords:
AMBER Alert
Attitudes
crime control theater
Information Processing
message quality
Description
Summary:Despite its popularity, the AMBER Alert system might be an ineffective means of addressing the problem of stranger-child abduction and have unintended negative consequences. To better understand the mechanisms underlying unquestioned public support for AMBER Alert, the current study examined the effects of processing modes specific to Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory and message quality on attitudes toward the system. Contrary to expectations, processing manipulations had no effect on attitudes toward AMBER Alert. However, exposure to high-quality messages regarding the efficacy of AMBER Alert significantly reduced participants' support for the system. These results demonstrate the malleability of attitudes toward alerts and illuminate message components that may encourage more thoughtful contemplation of AMBER Alert and similar crime control policies.
Item Description:Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 83-86
ISSN:1550-4409