Persuasive Effects of Matching Messages to Individual Differences in Need to Evaluate

This study examined the persuasive effects of matching messages to individual differences in need to evaluate. Participants were presented with one of four messages that contained either strong or weak arguments and was written using evaluative or non-evaluative statements. Attitudes, behavioral intentions and thoughts related to the messages’ contents were recorded along with several individual differences (need to evaluate, need for cognition and topic importance). The results showed that matching messages to individual differences in need to evaluate influences attitude change under certain conditions: message evaluativeness influences attitudes for low need to evaluate individuals under conditions of moderate elaboration likelihood. Implications, limitations and avenues for future research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Wright, Nicholas Fernand

Contributors dc:contributor

• Petty, Richard

• Social Psychology
• Matching
• Need to Evaluate
• Persuasion
• Attitudes

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1363599430

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1363599430