Judged: two independent readers; copy check clear.
fear appeal
fear appeal A fear appeal is a persuasive message that highlights possible harm or other negative consequences in order to motivate people to adopt a recommended behavior.
A fear appeal is a persuasive message that highlights possible harm or other negative consequences in order to motivate people to adopt a recommended behavior. In this framework, it typically combines a sense of threat with the idea that the person can effectively take action, while low perceived ability to act may lead to denial or other defensive responses instead of behavior change.