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Assessment Task 1: Research Proposal
Does an emotional appeal, designed to induce anger and/or compassion, increase support for
refugees?
Hope De Witt
Human Social Behaviour HPS204
221389996
Final Word Count: 1400
Author Declaration
I, Hope De Witt , declare that I am the sole author of the following work submitted as
part of the assessment in HPS204/774. Particularly, I have not colluded with other students in the
completion of this work; I have not duplicated work of my peers or from sources such as books,
journal articles, or websites without adaptation and due citation; and I have not contracted a
third-party to complete any component of this assessment on my behalf. I acknowledge that any
of these activities would constitute Academic Misconduct as defined by Regulation 4.1(2) of
Deakin University and may consequently attract penalties as defined in Schedule A: Penalties for
Student Academic Misconduct.
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Overview
The claim in this study is that emotions influence people’s prosocial behaviour, which
therefore will increase donations to charities that support refugees. This issue requires further
research to provide a solution to this global crisis, as refugees need further support to have access
to essential services to improve their mental health and wellbeing overall. Social psychology
provides knowledge regarding the relationship between the experience of emotion and how this
influences an individual’s prosocial behaviours and how expressing emotions can influence the
prosocial behaviour of others. Past literature has identified the interpersonal and intrapersonal
effects of different emotions, and the influence this has on the behaviour and actions of others
yet there is limited evidence on the comparison between the emotional appeal compassion and
anger can have in persuading a group to perform a particular behaviour. The current study
attempts to fill this gap by comparing the effectiveness emotional appeal messages inducing a
compassion versus anger are at increasing refugee support.
Literature Review
The limited refugee support in Australia (also known as people seeking asylum) is a
significant issue, as the current policies force refugees into poverty with the limited support that
is provided by the government, with 1,489 refugees closed in a detention centre as of the 31st of
December 2021(Refugee Council of Australia, 2022). Refugee support is also limited globally,
this statement is proven truthful in a recent study that stated in (OECD) countries such as France,
Germany, Belgium and etc, many refugee children faced challenges within the education system
which negatively impacted many students social and emotional well-being (Cerna, 2019).
Another major issue that refugees face is their limited access to health services. which is
Assessment Task 1: Research Proposal
Does an emotional appeal, designed to induce anger and/or compassion, increase support for
refugees?
Hope De Witt
Human Social Behaviour HPS204
221389996
Final Word Count: 1400
Author Declaration
I, Hope De Witt , declare that I am the sole author of the following work submitted as
part of the assessment in HPS204/774. Particularly, I have not colluded with other students in the
completion of this work; I have not duplicated work of my peers or from sources such as books,
journal articles, or websites without adaptation and due citation; and I have not contracted a
third-party to complete any component of this assessment on my behalf. I acknowledge that any
of these activities would constitute Academic Misconduct as defined by Regulation 4.1(2) of
Deakin University and may consequently attract penalties as defined in Schedule A: Penalties for
Student Academic Misconduct.
, 2
Overview
The claim in this study is that emotions influence people’s prosocial behaviour, which
therefore will increase donations to charities that support refugees. This issue requires further
research to provide a solution to this global crisis, as refugees need further support to have access
to essential services to improve their mental health and wellbeing overall. Social psychology
provides knowledge regarding the relationship between the experience of emotion and how this
influences an individual’s prosocial behaviours and how expressing emotions can influence the
prosocial behaviour of others. Past literature has identified the interpersonal and intrapersonal
effects of different emotions, and the influence this has on the behaviour and actions of others
yet there is limited evidence on the comparison between the emotional appeal compassion and
anger can have in persuading a group to perform a particular behaviour. The current study
attempts to fill this gap by comparing the effectiveness emotional appeal messages inducing a
compassion versus anger are at increasing refugee support.
Literature Review
The limited refugee support in Australia (also known as people seeking asylum) is a
significant issue, as the current policies force refugees into poverty with the limited support that
is provided by the government, with 1,489 refugees closed in a detention centre as of the 31st of
December 2021(Refugee Council of Australia, 2022). Refugee support is also limited globally,
this statement is proven truthful in a recent study that stated in (OECD) countries such as France,
Germany, Belgium and etc, many refugee children faced challenges within the education system
which negatively impacted many students social and emotional well-being (Cerna, 2019).
Another major issue that refugees face is their limited access to health services. which is
