examine how advertising manipulates emotions, particularly fear

Write a 3–4-page assessment in which you examine how advertising manipulates emotions, particularly fear.

Fear is not only a powerful emotion but also a powerful motivator. Advertisers know this and use fear appeal in advertising messages as a tactic to motivate their target audience into behaving in a certain way.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 2: Apply social psychological research and theory to examine social perception, social interaction, and social influence.
• Describe the emotional tone of advertising.
• Describe the behavior promoted in advertising.
• Apply a theory or concept related to social psychology to explain the effectiveness of appealing to fear in advertising.
• Competency 3: Analyze social psychological theory and research to explain personal, professional, and social issues.
• Explain the social conditions that foster fear.
• Explain how individual differences and perceptions perpetuate fearfulness.
• Competency 7: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
• Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.

Use APA format and style

CONTEXT

Another aspect of human functioning—emotion—has proven to be even more challenging to study than cognition. There are so many theories on emotions, but none are all inclusive; therefore, emotions continue to be mysterious, and the study of emotions is considered a work in progress. Emotions appear to be out of conscious control, yet they provide feedback that aids in self-understanding and information about our perceptions of the social world.

Instance End Editable

Instance Begin Editable name=”Remaining Paragraphs”

It is important to examine the purpose that emotions serve to us as individuals, and how they promote our cultural animal nature (Baumeister & Bushman, 2014). Equally important is looking at how emotions are both helpful and hurtful in decision making, and to what extent our emotions may be manipulated by others, such as in marketing that appeals to emotion. Emotional regulation is part of emotional intelligence. Without an ability to self-regulate emotion, a concept known as affect regulation, emotions can fuel depression, aggression, and other self-defeating behaviors.

Reference

Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social psychology & human nature (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

 

• To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community.
• When was the last time you were consciously affected by an ad you saw on TV? How did it affect you? Why did it affect you?
• Why is fear such a powerful emotion?