Which appeal suggests action due to social pressure, as in "Everyone else is doing it"?

The appeal that suggests action due to social pressure, often communicated with phrases like "Everyone else is doing it," is known as bandwagon appeal. This type of appeal leverages the notion that individuals are more likely to adopt a belief or engage in behavior simply because they perceive that a majority of people are already doing so. The underlying psychological principle is that individuals often feel a desire to conform to group norms, which can lead to increased acceptance of an idea or action when they believe others support it.

Bandwagon appeals are commonly used in advertising and political campaigning where the implication is that joining a popular movement or trend is not only socially acceptable but also advantageous. By invoking feelings of belonging and the fear of missing out, bandwagon appeals effectively motivate individuals to align with what is perceived as the popular choice. This contrasts with other types of appeals, such as emotional or fear appeals, which rely on evoking specific feelings, or statistical evidence, which grounds arguments in data rather than social conformity.