The reason ‘scare campaigns’ have an impact on election results

Whether it be Clive Palmer’s massive election advertising spend, or the Morrison government stepping up its rhetoric about Labor and China, it seems Australia is set for yet another election build-up full of scare campaigns.

But do they actually work?

Tom Elliott spoke with Dan Gregory, behavioural trends and strategy expert from The Behaviour Report, who said there was no doubt they had an impact on some voters.

He said most people voted in elections based on an element of fear.

“We are not necessarily invested in the result, we might want the consequence of the result,” Mr Gregory explained.

“In other words, we might not want ‘Team A’ to win, but we definitely want ‘Team B’ to lose.

“There is a small percentage of people who are very pro-Liberal, or very pro-Labor, but most of us sort of sit in the middle where we are somewhat disappointed with all the parties, but looking to make the least bad decision.”

Press PLAY below to hear him explain

Picture: Getty iStock