The scare tactic: Does it work? Motivating students for tests and exams

Abstract

This article reviews a new and emerging body of work into the use of fear appeals by teachers prior to high-stakes tests and exams. Fear appeals are messages that focus on the negative consequences of failure and the course(s) of action required to avoid failure. They are a scare tactic, intended to motivate students to work hard for their forthcoming tests and exams. First we review studies that examine how fear appeals, and their appraisal as threatening, are linked to test anxiety, motivation, and test/exam grades. Second, we review studies that focus on the possibility of different types of appraisals; challenge as well as threat, and the possibility that messages might simply be ignored. Third, we review studies that examine the outcomes of challenge as well as threat appraisals and present a prospective model linking appraisals to motivation, engagement and achievement outcomes. Finally, we review the implications of findings of these studies for teachers and educational/school psychologists.