Assessment of death attitudes: an empirical approach.
The Threat Index and the Death Anxiety Scale were administered to 228 subjects. Based on the high/low criterion scores, 105 subjects were assigned to the following four groups: (a) high death threat/high death anxiety, (b) high death threat/low death anxiety, (c) low death threat/high death anxiety, and (d) low death threat/low death anxiety. During the experimental phase of the study, subjects viewed a filmstrip on death rituals in various cultures. A recall test was then administered. Results indicated no significant group differences on recall performance. Initial no-show rates for the second part of the experiment were observed in the four groups reflecting a significant negative relationship between death anxiety and initial no-show rates. The possibility of defensive responding on the Death Anxiety Scale was suggested.
Patterson
K S
KS
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg 39406-5025.
Gates
L J
LJ
Faulkender
P J
PJ
D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D006801:Humans; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics