What describes the notion that the negative effect of not changing behavior will be considerable?

The concept that describes the notion that the negative effect of not changing behavior will be considerable is severity. This pertains to the seriousness of the consequences that can arise from a particular behavior, particularly when discussing health-related behaviors. In health communication, recognizing the severity of an issue can motivate individuals to change their behavior by emphasizing the significant risks associated with inaction.

For instance, in public health campaigns, illustrating the severe consequences of smoking—such as lung cancer or heart disease—can effectively encourage individuals to quit smoking. When people understand that not changing a harmful behavior can lead to serious health outcomes, they may be more likely to take the necessary steps towards change.

In contrast to severity, self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to perform a specific behavior, susceptibility pertains to perceptions of how likely they are to experience the negative effects of that behavior, and maintenance focuses on the strategies used to sustain behavior change over time. While all these concepts play a role in health behavior change, severity specifically addresses the considerable negative effects arising from the failure to change behavior.