A study focusing on argument as a receiver-contained phenomenon assessed the differential importance of (new) arguments stimulated by a message, as opposed to (old) arguments previously integrated. Data were collected from 207 college students in a pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest design. The subjects provided information on their attitudes…

Extends previous modality and source cue studies by manipulating argument quality. Randomly assigned college students by class to an argument quality by source attribute by modality factorial experiment. Finds the print mode produces only argument main effects, and audio and video modes produce argument by cue interactions. Finds data inconsistent…

Although Kent State University was regarded as a symbol of radical protest after four students were killed by Ohio National Guardsmen in 1970, a survey of student opinion toward demonstrations and other kinds of free speech activity taken in 1969, shortly before the shootings, showed that the student body was in fact conservative. Other…

Outlines the nature of the Toulmin approach, reviews relevant research, and reports on two experiments that tested whether developing a persuasive argument by adding combinations of Toulmin's elements produced significant effects on attitude change. (PD)

Subjects (high and low in interpersonal construct differentiation) completed measures of religious attitudes/behaviors and attitudinal confidence. Findings indicate that the role of differentiation as a direct mediator of non-interpersonal attitude-behavior consistency is comparatively small. The influence of attitudinal confidence on…

A study was conducted to determine whether significant public speaking anxiety is present in an adult elective speech course and to determine whether speech anxiety can be lowered with the use of post-speech conferences. Subjects were 74 undergraduate students enrolled in four sections of a night elective course in public speaking. The Personal…

Students were given questionnaires asking their responses on public issues. Each questionnaire contained a bogus distribution of responses from other students. Results indicated that the students were influenced in the direction of the bogus consensus only on those issues to which they had a low commitment. (PD)

Results indicate that (1) voters' attitudes toward the candidates, issues, and parties stabilized after the election and (2) the first two debates were the most important events of the campaign with their greatest effects being felt between one and two weeks after the events. (PD)

Investigates the impact of the first televised debate in the 1976 presidential campaign on the political attitudes of 195 college students. Concludes that viewing the debate had only a limited impact, which can be attributed to the general problems of attitude change and the specific content of the debates. (RL)

Sixty-five female undergraduate students who were either standing or reclining listened to a tape-recorded counterattitudinal speech containing either strong or weak arguments. Their evaluations revealed a significant interaction between posture (standing or reclining) and quality of arguments (strong or weak) on a measure of attitude change.…

Presents a new approach to attitude measuring that provides a comprehensive index of favorability and salience, the primary attributes relevant to the study of any attitudinal issue. The new technique effectively separates indifferent research subjects from those who are neutral toward attitudinal issues. Discusses methodological advantages and…

Argues that political speech-making can have significant impact. Surveyed audiences of four presidential candidates during the 1976 Illinois primary. Analyzed attitude/behavior changes and motivations for attendance. Noted that, while the strongest motivations were of a cognitive-orientation nature, reasons related to event excitement were…

Research literature shows that people with access to attitude-relevant information in memory are able to draw on relevant beliefs and prior experiences when analyzing a persuasive message. This suggests that people who can retrieve little attitude-relevant information should be less able to engage in systematic processing. Two experiments were…

Confirms the hypotheses that (1) males are expected to use more aggressive persuasive strategies and when they do not conform to such expectations, attitude change is inhibited; and (2) females are not expected to use such aggressive strategies and are penalized when they are the source of unexpectedly aggressive message strategies. (PD)

Examines the influence of intraparty political debates during the 1984 presidential campaign. Indicates significant influence on undergraduate college students' attitudes about candidates and their interest in the campaign. Demonstrates that candidate violations of expectations provide a useful theoretical explanation for significant shifts in…