Persuasion
Theory Exam Study Guide
last updated 9
The exam will be composed of questions and topics taken from the material described below. Nothing will appear on the test that is not mentioned on this study guide. 1. If
you are given a "persuasion moment" (like the
homework and examples from the cards) be able to identify
which persuasion theory best accounts for what happened or what might
work. AND explain why
you selected the theory you did (i.e. mention elements of the
theory that fit the persuasion moment). 2. If you are given a persuasion theory, be able
to offer a "persuasion example" based on that theory. Explain how the
example fits the theory.
3. Discuss the concept, "Credibility is in the eye of the beholder." List and explain at least five factors that research and theory show can enhance credibility and are consistent with the "eye of the beholder" idea. 4. Define the following terms:
5. Explain
the ELM theory of attitude change.
Describe what the "elaboration likelihood" concept
means, both routes, including how they differ
and what accounts for which route recievers are using. (See
AP 3 and theory notes) Give examples of
contemporary persuasion efforts (e.g. advertising messages)
which illustrate each route and explain how
they illustrate ELM. 6. Explain (thoroughly) balance theory. Include in your answer a discussion of the
ways imbalance can be overcome. 7. Explain
(thoroughly) Bitzer's definition and his components of
the "rhetorical situation" using an extended example (maybe
one I give you, or maybe I’ll ask you to construct an example of your own). 8. Explain how Fishbein-Ajzen's
theory accounts for the lack of a reliable link between attitude toward the
concept and
behavior. 9. Offer your own definition of persuasion and explain how your definition regards the issues of choice, intent, mental change, and use of messages.symbols.
10. Explain the key concepts of Festinger's Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (dissonance, consonance, irrelevance, cognitions). How does it differ from Balance and Congruity Theories? How does the concpet of "dissoance" explain the results found in the "forced compliance case (4) ?"
11.
12. Imagine yourself, an MC college student, leading an effort to gain support from other MC students to register and vote in the 2016 presidential election. You will likely be giving speeches to student groups and recruiting supporters one-on-one. Describe how you would attempt to enhance your credibility (which is one of the four stratagems of persuasion mentioned in AP 5) with your fellow students.13. Imagine yourself, an MC college student, leading an effort to gain support from other MC students to register and vote in the 2016 presidential election. You will likely be giving speeches to student groups and recruiting supporters one-on-one. Describe how you would use each of the OTHER THREE stratagems (i.e. not credibility) of persuasion in this rhetorical situation. Mention at least one pre-persuasion technique you would use.
|