Presents a review and meta-analytic summary of existing studies of metaphor's persuasive effects. Indicates that metaphor appears to exert a small effect on perceptions of source dynamism, but shows no demonstrable impact on competence or character. Concludes that the superior organization explanation of metaphor's persuasive impact was most…

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)

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)

Reports a study of varied threats to attitudinal freedom and initial receiver attitude at four discrepancy intervals. Discusses the significance of the findings for the importance of the freedom to agree or disagree with a persuasive communication. (JMF)

Examined how persuasion relates to structural characteristics of attitudes, including the number and supportiveness of initial beliefs. Found that the tendency for strong arguments to persuade more than weak arguments was more pronounced for message recipients who retrieved more beliefs as compared to those who retrieved fewer beliefs. (RJM)

Refutes McGuire's analogy to inoculation theory used to predict resistance to beliefs that have not been attacked. An experimental test of effectiveness of different defenses over three belief levels is discussed. (JMF)

The focus of the contributions to this journal issue is communication theory and research. Following an introductory article that deals with the need for quality control in the criticism of communication research, eight articles offer discussions of the following topics: the nature of criticism in rhetorical and communicative studies, some issues…

To analyze the usefulness of forensics judges' written comments and to understand how to improve ballots, a content analysis of 175 ballots from schools in a competition district was conducted. Categories for analysis included the following: (1) quantity of comments; (2) format of the ballot; (3) types of comments (including selection,…

Violations of interpersonal spacing expectations have been demonstrated to influence a receiver's perception of the credibility, attraction, and influence of an initiator of such violations. Recent research on distraction and on personal space points to several potential strategies a persuader may adopt when trying to influence another individual.…

Ten college classes of speech communication students were used to examine the relationships among prior attitude, mode of presentation, and distortion of a high intensity (positive) persuasive communication. Three classes heard messages while four classes read messages. The remaining three classes were not exposed to messages and served as a…

On the premise that union election campaigns on college campuses can provide useful lessons for public relations practitioners, this paper examines literature pertaining to organizing efforts in order to discover public relations problems that can be posed by the reciprocal nature of the influences between the internal and external audiences…