Demonstrations in Attitude Change and Persuasive Communication

Abstract

17 statements representing 17 positions favored (positive) by 119 students at a midwestern university were located. To demonstrate that Ss with extreme positions are resistant to change, communications opposing the two most positive statements were presented to 40 university students. To demonstrate that moderately held positions are likely to change in the same direction, communications supporting the two least positive statements were presented to 40 other students. The replication was performed by presenting Ss with a two-sided communication concerning a statement which was a priori in between most and least positive. Although some exceptions were noted, the replication and demonstrations were successful.

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