Define both threats and promises, and then identify the two factors that influence the effectiveness of threats and promises.

A threat is a statement from a source to a target in the form, "if you don't do X, then I will do Y." The threat is something that the target would like to avoid.For example, a teacher can tell a student, "If you don't hand in your final paper on time, then I will have to fail you for the semester." A promise, on the other hands, involves awards that are contingent.For example, a teacher can tell a student, "If you hand in your final paper early, you will receive two extra credit points." Two factors that influences the effectiveness of threats and promises are their magnitude and credibility.First, the greater the magnitude the punishment or reward, the greater the probability of compliance.For example, a student promised five extra credit points will be more likely to comply with the teacher's promise than a student offered two points.Second, people assess credible threats and promises based on past behavior and the cost to carry out the threat.For example, if a teacher has previously failed students for late work and since failing a student is low cost to the teacher, students will likely perceive the teacher's threat as credible.