Question 1

Research on the persuasive use of evidence shows that&#10;A) narrative evidence is far more persuasive than startling statistics&#10;B) vivid narratives are usually more interesting and memorable than statistics&#10;C) valid statistics are far more persuasive than narrative evidence&#10;D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Vivid narratives are often more engaging and memorable to people than statistics, making them a powerful tool in persuasion. This is because stories can evoke emotions and personal connections, making the information more relatable and impactful.

Question 2

You enhance your credibility as a speaker presenting a persuasive message by&#10;A) appearing competent&#10;B) exhibiting dynamism&#10;C) appearing trustworthy&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

appearing competent&#10;

Question 3

Fear appeals as a persuasive strategy are likely to be effective only if&#10;A) they are very mild fear appeals&#10;B) audience members feel vulnerable and thus fearful&#10;C) a general recommendation for action is provided&#10;D) the action desired is difficult to achieve

Accepted Answer

Fear appeals are more likely to be effective if the audience perceives that they are vulnerable to a negative outcome, otherwise they may dismiss the appeal. Mild fear appeals may not be strong enough to elicit the desired response, and if the action desired is difficult to achieve, the fear appeal may lead to feelings of helplessness and inaction. A general recommendation for action is important, but it alone may not be enough to motivate the audience to take action.

Question 4

Cognitive dissonance is triggered by&#10;A) noting consistency of a person's beliefs&#10;B) identifying hypocrisy by saying one thing but doing the opposite&#10;C) strong fear appeals&#10;D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance is triggered when there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between a person's beliefs or attitudes and their behavior. Option B identifies the specific trigger of identifying hypocrisy, which is a common example of cognitive dissonance. Option A is incorrect because noting consistency rather than inconsistency does not trigger cognitive dissonance. Option C is incorrect as fear appeals may elicit emotional responses but not necessarily trigger cognitive dissonance. Option D is incorrect as cognitive dissonance is a well-established psychological phenomenon.

Question 5

When Obama called statistics on economic recovery &#34;steady growth&#34; but Trump called it &#34;evidence of failure and incompetence,&#34; they were both using framing as a persuasive strategy.

Accepted Answer

Both Obama and Trump were using framing, which is the act of presenting information in a certain way to shape perceptions and beliefs. They used different frames to try to persuade their audiences to agree with their perspectives on the same set of economic statistics.

Question 6

Typically, the two-sided approach to persuasion will change attitudes and behavior more effectively than the one-sided approach, especially if the audience is well informed on the issue.

Accepted Answer

The two-sided approach acknowledges opposing viewpoints and provides counterarguments. This approach is more effective in changing attitudes and behavior because it shows that the speaker has considered multiple perspectives and offers a more comprehensive view of the issue. However, if the audience is not well informed, a one-sided approach may be more effective in providing information and educating the audience.

Question 7

It is ethically wrong to use emotional appeals.

Accepted Answer

Emotional appeals can be ethical as long as they are truthful and do not manipulate or deceive the audience. For example, using a heartfelt personal story to raise awareness for an important cause is not inherently unethical. However, it is important to use emotional appeals responsibly and always prioritize honesty and respect for the audience.

Question 8

Some fear appeals may not be effective because what frightens you may not frighten others in your audience.

Accepted Answer

Fear appeals rely on the assumption that the audience shares common fears and concerns. However, different people may have different values, beliefs, and experiences that shape their emotional response. Therefore, what may be aversive or threatening to one person may not be so for another. As a result, fear appeals need to be customized to the specific audience and their individual needs and interests.

Question 9

Some fear appeals can be too graphic and repugnant, negating effective persuasion.

Accepted Answer

Some fear appeals can trigger a defensive response or lead to avoidance behavior if they are too extreme or repulsive, making them less effective in persuasion. It is essential to strike a balance and tailor the message to the audience for the fear appeal to be successful.

Question 10

Reframing as a persuasive strategy alters perception by changing how issues and problems are descriptively phrased.

Accepted Answer

Reframing involves changing the way a problem or issue is described in order to alter perception and persuade others to see things in a different way.

Question 11

Cognitive dissonance is the only truly effective persuasive strategy that can change the minds of true believers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cognitive dissonance is the only truly effective...

Deck 16: Persuasive Speaking Strategies