SPC 3544 DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT #3
ASSIGNED: 3/27/22

DUE: SUNDAY 4/3/22 by 11:59 PM EST (uploaded to Canvas)

DIRECTIONS: Please answer completely all questions. Note that questions contain multiple

parts and your answers should clearly indicate which part of the question you are responding to

(e.g. 2b). Questions 1 and 2 ask for short answers. Question 3 asks for a formal essay. Your

typed answers should be uploaded as a word document to Canvas by Sunday, April 3, 2022

at 11:59 PM EST. This discussion assignment is designed to be completed independently. You

may consult your notes and course readings as you formulate your responses. This discussion

assignment is worth 50 points.

1. Please read the following article “Needle exchanges are a proven tool to fight HIV, but
officials still want to shut them down” (https://abcnews.go.com/Health/needle-exchanges-

proven-tool-fight-hiv-officials-shut/story?id=78047242). This article contains several

arguments around the stasis questions of conjecture, definition, quality, and procedure. [10

points]

a. Identify one argument from conjecture (existence) presented in the article. Explain why
it is an argument from conjecture. (2 points)

b. Identify one argument from definition presented in the article. Explain why it is an
argument from definition. (2 points)

c. Identify one argument from quality presented in the article. Explain why it is an
argument from quality. (2 points)

d. Identify one argument from procedure (policy) presented in the article. Explain why it
is an argument from procedure. (2 points)

e. Analyze whether the article presents a conflict (collision of arguments) around a
question of conjecture, definition, quality, or procedure. In other words, are there

differing viewpoints mentioned on a question of existence, definition, importance, or

policy? Explain. (2 points)

SPC 3544 DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT #3
ASSIGNED: 3/27/22

DUE: SUNDAY 4/3/22 by 11:59 PM EST (uploaded to Canvas)

2. In class, we discussed the differences between descriptive and injunctive norms in culture.
[10 points]

a. Explain the difference between descriptive and injunctive norms. (3 points)

b. Great Day Amusement Park recently posted the following message at the entrance to
the theme park:

Assess how this amusement park message mixes both descriptive and injunctive norms.

(4 points)

c. Using the amusement park message in 2b as an example and our discussion in class of
Cialdini’s study of littering, explain why this message may have backfired for getting

visitors to the park to “not feed the animals you see.” (3 points)

Great Day Amusement Park is home to a number of harmless woodland creatures, including

squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. Many past visitors have fed the woodland creatures, changing

their behavior toward humans. Feeding the animals has consequences. Please do not feed the

animals you see.

SPC 3544 DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT #3
ASSIGNED: 3/27/22

DUE: SUNDAY 4/3/22 by 11:59 PM EST (uploaded to Canvas)

3. ESSAY PROMPT: Please watch the following advertisement from the Ad Council called

“Hoop.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbdNoUXC1i0).

Based on our course discussions related to emotions and fear appeals, write an essay that assesses

the effectiveness of this fear appeal related to child safety and car seats. How effective is this fear

appeal?

Specifically, your 600-750 word essay should assess the four components of a fear appeal in

evaluating the ad’s effectiveness (i.e. severity of threat, probability of occurrence, efficacy of

coping response, and ability to enact a solution). Your essay should include clear definitions of

the components of a fear appeal, examples from the advertisement that illustrate (or do not

illustrate) each fear appeal component, and references to the course textbook and discussions on

the topic. Your essay should be professionally structured and written according to the rubric

provided.

Essay Grading Rubric [30 points]

Introduction

? Includes a clear preview of the argument of the essay and main

points for whether the ad is an effective fear appeal.

? Defines any course concepts that may be referenced

5 points

Body

? Main points clearly stated, developed, and integrated into

the broader direction/argument of the essay.

? Includes clear definitions of fear appeal components and

examples from the ad to illustrate main points.

? References material support from class discussions and the

Borchers (2012) textbook.

15 points

Conclusion
? Reviews direction/argument of the essay and main points.

5 points

Mechanics
? In-text citations, additional sources cited in APA style
? Professional spelling, grammar, and punctuation
? Double-spaced, 1” margins, 12-point, Times NR font, 600-750

words

? Include word count with essay

5 points