Beyond terror: Towards a paradigm shift in the study of threat and culture
Abstract
In this article we review the basic assumptions and findings of terror management theory. Then we discuss some problems with those assumptions and findings. We note, for example, that the theory is not falsifiable, that theorists have not done a good job of integrating conflicting empirical findings, and that attempts to explain all of human behaviour in terms of a single core motive have been counterproductive. Then we briefly discuss other theoretical explanations of the relations between threat and culture. Finally we make recommendations for what theorists and researchers can do to advance thinking in this area. The goal of the article is to stimulate a new generation of theory and research not based on the assumption that there is a single, core motive that can be used to address all of the relations among threat and culture.
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This lack of evidence for the central TMT anxiety buffer hypothesis has been documented before in reviews regarding TMT research.
“This lack of evidence for the central TMT anxiety buffer hypothesis has been documented before in reviews regarding TMT research (Dar- Nimrod 2022; Fransen et al. 2019; Martin and Van den Bos 2014).”
From Terror Management Theory in the Consumer Domain: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis on Mortality Salience Driven Consumer Responses (2025) · cites this paper as Martin and Van den Bos 2014
TMT is so diffuse it can account for any outcome and even seemingly opposing results can be interpreted as consistent with the theory.
“Previously it has been argued that TMT is so diffuse it can account for any outcome and even seemingly opposing results can be interpreted as consistent with the theory (e.g., Martin and Van den Bos 2014).”
From Terror Management Theory in the Consumer Domain: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis on Mortality Salience Driven Consumer Responses (2025) · cites this paper as Martin and Van den Bos 2014
TMT has been criticized for being unfalsifiable because any finding could be interpreted as evidence in favor of the theory.
“TMT has been criticized for being unfalsifiable because any finding could be interpreted as evidence in favor of the theory (L. L. Martin & van den Bos, 2014).”
From Do Salient Social Norms Moderate Mortality Salience Effects? A (Challenging) Meta-Analysis of Terror Management Studies (2023) · cites this paper as L. L. Martin & van den Bos, 2014
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“Previously it has been argued that TMT is so diffuse it can account for any outcome and even seemingly opposing results can be interpreted as consistent with the theory (e.g., Martin and Van den Bos 2014).”
- Authors
- Martin, L. L., & van den Bos, K.
- Affiliations
- University of Georgia (US)
- Venue
- European Review of Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2014-01
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 32-70
- ISSN
- 1046-3283 (ISSN-L)
- 1479-277X
- OpenAlex
- W2018453515
- Cited by
- 76
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 20.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Review of Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Cultural Differences and Values
- Keywords
- terror management theory, culture, falsifiability, theoretical integration, paradigm shift, human behavior
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