Janet: "I find the liberal feminist position very appealing. Its commitment to equality and its lack of hatred towards men are both good things. After all, inequality and hatred have been tearing the country apart for long enough."
Sarah: "That sort of talk sounds like betrayal, Janet."
Ann: "Yes, it certainly does. We don't subscribe to that sort of liberal mush in this organization, Janet."
Janet: "Hey, I just said I found it appealing. Of course I share all your beliefs."Appeal to Common PracticeThe BandwagonAppeal to the Consequences of a BeliefAppeal to FearAppeal to Common Practice is a wrong answer. In this example, there is no attempt to justify a practice by pointing out that it is a common one.The Bandwagon is the right answer. Ann and Sarah are not offering Janet any evidence that her position is flawed. Instead, they are simply stating that the group rejects liberal feminism and they are implying that she will be rejected from the group if she does not go along with the rest of the group.Appeal to the Consequences of a Belief is a wrong answer. In this example, there is no attempt to use the consequences of holding a belief as evidence for or against a claim. While Janet is being threatened with rejection for believing what she does, this is not the Appeal to the Consequences of a Belief fallacy.Appeal to Fear is a wrong answer. While the threat of rejection might induce fear in Janet, it is clear that Ann and Sarah are primarily attempting to get Janet to reject her position because the group rejects the position in question.It does appear that Janet is probably being threatened. But ask yourself what is she being threatened with and why.2