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한국문헌정보학회지

Potential Implications and Applications of Terror Management Theory for Library and Information Science

한국문헌정보학회지 / 한국문헌정보학회지, (P)1225-598X; (E)2982-6292
2020, v.54 no.4, pp.317-349
https://doi.org/10.4275/KSLIS.2020.54.4.317
HOLLISTER JONATHAN

Aaron J. Elkins (Texas Woman’s University)
Don Latham (Florida State University)
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Abstract

Mental health experts warn the combination of overwhelming amounts of information, economic instability, political discontent, social injustice, and the high infection and death rates of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are negatively impacting mental health in ways that may worsen the pandemic and intensify our primal fear of death. Terror Management Theory (TMT) argues that self-esteem and cultural worldviews serve as defenses against the terror of our own mortality. This theory anchor paper introduces TMT to Library and Information Science (LIS) via a selected literature review on TMT’s use in the field of Psychology and an extensive discussion on the conceptual connections to LIS supported with empirical research from related disciplines and contexts. The implications, applications, and usefulness of TMT for LIS research, education, and practice are discussed in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and other contexts, and a research agenda is proposed.

keywords
Self-Esteem, Mortality Salience, Terror Management Theory, Theory Applications

한국문헌정보학회지