Psychology 3723F/G Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Group Polarization, Forest National, Minority Influence

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 3723F/G
• Professor: Elizabeth Campbell

Document Summary

Repeated messages: when a nice song becomes a broken record. Simplest example of a multi-message environment occurs when the same message is presented repeatedly. Conducted two experiments that examined message environment. Students heard a message containing many strong arguments in favor of an increase in university spending. Received message either once, three times or five times. Most persuaded at three times not five or once. Suggested that repetition increased the ability to comprehend the strong arguments up to a point after which the message became tedious. Other research found 3 repetitions to weak arguments decreased persuasion. Repeated exposure makes it easier for people to see the flaws in the messages as well as the strengths. Supporting and contradictory messages: frequent toothbrushing is bad. Persuasions can be seen as containing ideas that might spread if unchecked like viruses. Looked at truisms which are beliefs that are widely accepted and people rarely question them.