Public service ads often try to raise fear in an audience to induce people to change unhealthy behaviors. If fear appeals are used, it is crucial to provide the audience with __________ to increase the likelihood of behavior change.
A) as much fear-evoking information as possible
B) specific recommendations for how to reduce the unhealthy behaviors
C) statistics about the number of people who will die from performing the behaviors
D) specific information about the consequences of continuing the unhealthy behaviors

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Providing specific recommendations for how to reduce the unhealthy behaviors is the best choice as it offers a solution to the problem highlighted in the fear appeal. Simply evoking fear without providing any means of addressing the behavior may not be effective in inducing behavior change. Providing statistics or consequences of continuing the unhealthy behaviors may also be useful in persuading the audience, but they should be accompanied by specific recommendations for how to change the behavior.

Public Service Ads Often Try to Raise Fear in an Audience