The Traditional Explanation for Resistance Versus Attitude Accessibility.

Abstract

This investigation compared the traditional explanation for the way inoculation confers resistance to influence with an alternative rationale for resistance based on attitude accessibility. Four hundred forty-three participants took part in the investigation in four phases spanning 54 days. The combined multiple regression and structural equation modeling results suggest that the traditional and alternative explanations for the way that inoculation confers resistance involve separate processes; counterarguing and accessibility appear to be distinct tracks en route to resistance, but the two explanations also are overlapping processes in which elicited threat plays an integral role.

The disconcerting potential of online disinformation: Persuasive effects of astroturfing comments and three strategies for inoculation against them

“…Because an inoculation message empowers resistance to a persuasive attack, we expect increased levels of opinion certainty in those who receive an inoculation treatment. This assumption has also been confirmed by empirical studies showing that attitude certainty increased after participants were inoculated against persuasive messages (Compton and Pfau, 2004;Pfau et al, 2004). Therefore, we assume the following: H3: Administering an inoculation treatment prior to astroturfing comments will inhibit the assumed persuasive effects on opinion change (H3a) and opinion certainty (H3b).…”

Debiasing, Political Polarization and Creating Change in Polarities

“…Kiesler (1971) phrases this succinctly when to even more extreme behaviors in defense of their previous commitment". Key elements of effective inoculation include the feeling of threat (that is, the feeling that the individual's priof belief is being threatened) and a forewarning that individuals will face counterattitudinal arguments (Pfau et al 2004) the inoculation process of which would allow individuals to practice counterarguments and increase attitude accessibility, both of which also facilitate resistance to influence (Pfau et al 2004). Attitude inoculation seem to be robust, seen in both laboratory and applied settings, and across different domains like politics, public relations, marketing and adolescent health campaigns (Compton & Pfau, 2005).…”

Enhancing Inoculation: Examining the Relationships among Attack Certainty, Threat and Resistance

“…The issue used in this investigation-whether the U.S. should completely legalize the sale and use of marijuana-has been featured with success in a number of inoculation studies [12,17,[27][28][29]. The issue is appropriate for the current study as it meets two important criteria necessary for inoculation: (1) opinions on the issue that are firmly in place at the time of inoculation, and (2) a division of opinions in support and opposition of the issue [29].…”

“…Students, N = 101 (71 female, 30 male, Mage = 20.93 years, age range: [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31], enrolled in strategic communication courses at a large Southeastern university served as participants in this investigation in exchange for course credit. Participants were selected with IRB approval via email and recruitment flyers.…”

“…The issue used in study two-whether the government should restrict violent content on TV-has also been featured with success in a number of inoculation studies [27,28,30] and meets the criteria necessary for studying inoculation (see study one for criteria).…”