When are fear appeals most successful?
A)when your listeners feel powerless to change or remedy the impending threat
B)when your listeners perceive the threat as hypothetical rather than real
C)when you can convince your listeners that they have the power to make a change that will reduce the threat
D)when the threat is directed at the audience-members themselves rather than their family members

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fear appeals are most successful when the audience feels that they have the power to reduce or eliminate the threat. This empowers them to take action and change their behavior in order to avoid the negative consequences. Option A is incorrect because if the audience feels powerless, they may be less likely to take action. Option B is incorrect because if the threat is perceived as hypothetical, the audience may not take it seriously. Option D is incorrect because fear appeals can also be successful when the threat is directed at the audience's loved ones, as this can motivate them to take action to protect their family members.

When Are Fear Appeals Most Successful