Conceptual Framework and Purpose
Protection motivation theory (Rogers 1975) suggests that, when faced with a threat, an individual evaluates the per- ceived severity of and vulnerability to the risk. Subsequently, an individual evaluates whether response behavior will be effective in evading the risk (response efficacy) and whether they have the ability to execute the behavior (self-efficacy) (Rogers 1975). The collective results of the threat and coping appraisal processes have an effect on protection motivation, a behavioral intention to protect an individual from a risk (Floyd, Prentice-Dunn, and Rogers 2000). Thus, protection motivation theory suggests that an individual changes behaviors after assessing the severity and probability of a risk and his or her ability to manage the risk (Rogers 1975). If the risk is perceived to be relevant and manageable, the likelihood of response behavior increases accordingly (Neuwirth, Dunwoody, and Griffin 2000). Further, information-seeking behaviors increase when an individual receives information about the severity of the threat (Neuwirth, Dunwoody, and Griffin 2000). Therefore, based on protection motivation theory, once a risk is perceived to be relevant, an individual will likely cope with the threat by engaging in information search. Particularly, this study sought to examine whether tourists with high levels of per- ceived risk are likely to use social media to seek information in the event of a crisis during travel, as suggested by protection motivation theory.