This study investigated cognitive impairment as a function of reflective fear arousal and also the relationship between the creation of cognitive impairment and resulting attitude change. A three-part measuring instrument was developed to assess attitudes, evaluate perception of alleged danger, and determine credibility. The subjects were 112 college students enrolled in a basic speech course. An 11-minute speech was presented to the subjects by a graduate student in speech. The message was designed to evoke reflective fear. Using a modified motivated-sequence pattern, the speech presented a detailed discussion of the dangers of unregulated firearms, proposed corrective legislation, and dealt with anticipated audience reservations. Of the 112 subjects who had taken the pretest 12 days prior to the presentation, 77 were available for the administration of treatments. Of these students, 22 listened to the 11-minute speech, 33 listened to the same speech with the addition of five visual aids, and 22 served as controls. The findings indicated that the arousal of reflective fear does create cognitive impairment, but the existence of this form of cognitive impairment does not impede persuasion. (WR)