Abstract
Instructions on how to avoid hazards are an important aspect of warnings. Because message brevity is beneficial for effectiveness, the wording ought to be useful in motivating compliance. Participants ( N=132) evaluated 37 single and two-word emphasis phrases (e.g., “critical” or “absolutely crucial”) that could be added to a directive (or instructions) statement to indicate the degree of compliance necessity. Manipulated were one or two-word (phrase) emphasis terms (e.g., “critical,” “must,” and “absolutely critical”). Participants rated the compliance intent for each of these. Results showed a wide range of ratings across word/phrase conditions (from “extremely critical” and “urgent” as the highest to “optional” as the lowest). Linear (additive) and non linear effects were yielded by the pattern of means for word/phrase combinations. “Federal Law” was one of the highest rated items confirming similar previous findings. Implications are discussed including the potential for matching terms with hazard levels.
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