Deck 12: Emotional Message Appeals: Fear and Guilt

Question 1

If a fear appeal fails to change a person's attitude because they believe they aren't likely to be affected by the problem, then the fear appeal failed to establish a sense of _________.

A) Response efficacy
B) Self-efficacy
C) Severity
D) Susceptibility

Answer 1

D

Question 2

If a fear appeal fails to change a person's attitude because they believe they aren't capable of implementing the recommended solution, then the fear appeal failed to establish a sense of _________.

A) Response efficacy
B) Self-efficacy
C) Severity
D) Susceptibility

Answer 2

B

Question 3

For a guilt appeal to be effective, feelings of guilt must be paired with feelings of ______.

A) Danger control
B) Fear control
C) Protection motivation
D) Efficacy

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The belief that one is less likely to experience negative life events than others is called ___________.

A) Illusion of invulnerability
B) Danger control
C) Efficacy
D) Protection motivation

Question 5

Write an essay in which you develop a fear appeal message designed to persuade people to get a flu shot this year. In your essay, describe how your message generates the four criteria for a successful fear appeal: response efficacy, self-efficacy, severity, and susceptibility.

Question 6

When have fear appeals worked in your life? When have they failed? How does the EPPM illuminate these experiences with fear appeals?

Question 7

Because fear appeals and guilt appeals can potentially backfire, are they useful in persuasion? Why or why not? What do persuaders need to consider when designing these appeals?

Question 8

Do you harbor any illusions of invulnerability? Why? Consider the three reasons provided in the text.