The communication classroom has long explored various matters of speech. More recently, conversations about hate speech have emerged here. However, less attention has been paid to how hate is mobilized through communication. Thus, this course explores the communicative nature of hatred by interrogating its role in the formation of social identity…

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of change in willingness to communicate (WTC) in public speaking contexts (i.e., PS-WTC). The proposed conceptualization of change was tested using longitudinal data collected from a sample of 706 undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory communication course in a US university. Results of latent…

Investigates whether the locus of persuasion of the metaphor "A is B" lies in the valence of B, as widely assumed, or in the valence of the metaphor ground, what A and B share. Indicates that global affect toward B does not transfer onto A and that metaphorical persuasion is a distinct process meriting further investigation. (SR)

Makes a case for attending to developments in the study of attitude. Considers how the attitude construct has been conceptualized. Examines contemporary thinking about attitudes and draws out implications of that thinking for the study of persuasion. (RS)

Examines research dealing with learning processes and suggests its applications to compliance gaining. Discusses the degree to which learning theories explain the acquisition of new attitudes and behaviors, and the degree to which attitudinal and behavioral changes are governed by learning theory principles. (JMF)

Examines the effectiveness of direct mail communication strategies--inoculation (a strategy which promotes resistance to attitude and behavior change), inoculation-plus-reinforcement, and refutation messages--in combating the persuasiveness of political attack messages. Finds that inoculation is more effective than the refutation approach in…

Explores some basic concepts and premises of E. Noelle-Neumann's spiral of silence theory, based on data from Israel during the Intifada. Suggests that the information environment is the primary factor in specifying the role of social adjustment mechanisms versus event information in determining the direction in which public opinion evolves. (SR)

Examines the relative persuasiveness of statistical evidence versus report evidence while controlling for the effect of vividness. Finds that, when report evidence takes the form of a story, statistical evidence is more persuasive after a two-day delay and, when bolstered by vividness, after a one-week delay. (SR)

Examines college students' level of argumentativeness in relation to persuasion. Finds that highly argumentative individuals experienced more attitude change than their less argumentative counterparts. Shows that topic had no effect upon attitude change and that topic did not interact with argumentativeness. (SR)

Although most focus group theorists consider interaction to be a defining feature of focus groups, the influence that occurs through this interaction has been under-theorized. We argue that two important forms of influence may occur: influence on people's beliefs about the substantive issues under discussion and influence on self-efficacy beliefs.…

Analyzes results from 38 distraction studies. Concludes it is necessary to distinguish between communication-relevant and communication-irrelevant distractors. Suggests the effect of communication-irrelevant distractors on attitude change is minor. (MS)

Discusses the probative potential of evidence in argument, and evaluates the importance of evidence in predicting belief change. Predicts adherence to argument claims and confirms the traditionally recognized importance of evidence to persuasion. (JMF)

Confirms a model of language intensity effects based on information processing theory, in which attitude change was a multiplicative function of message discrepancy, perceived credibility, and message strength, adjusted for counterarguing, with trustworthiness as the salient source perception variable. (SR)

Replies to the previous article's review of arguments against the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). Considers the effects-of-evidence-on-attitudes argument unconvincing and explains why. (NKA)

Addresses the major errors and misconceptions perpetuated by Stiff and Boster's response to criticism of Stiff's 1986 article. Focuses on the major conceptual and methodological issues of Stiff's model. (NKA)