Question 1

When politicians are shown drinking a beer, shopping at Wal-Mart, eating at McDonald's, or going bowling, they are employing which propaganda technique?

Accepted Answer

This is the plain folks appeal technique, which aims to make the politician seem relatable and down-to-earth to the average person. By engaging in activities that are associated with the everyday person, they hope to gain their trust and support.

Question 2

Which persuasive strategy below is designed to increase consumer engagement through active participation?

Accepted Answer

Gamification is a persuasive strategy designed to increase consumer engagement through active participation. It involves adding game-like elements to a product or service to make it more appealing and enjoyable for customers. This could be through challenges, competitions, or rewards for completing certain actions, all of which encourage users to stay engaged and interact with the brand longer.

Question 3

A reporter asks a politician, "Do you favor or oppose gay adoptions?" The politician responds, "I'm for families. The family unit is the backbone of our society. Family bonds are vital." The politician's response best reflects which propaganda technique?

Accepted Answer

The politician's response is an example of glittering generalities, which involves using vague or broad statements that are difficult to argue against or disagree with. In this case, the politician is using positive-sounding words ("families," "backbone," "vital") without taking a clear stance on the actual issue at hand (gay adoptions).

Question 4

A meta-analysis helps persuasion researchers to

Accepted Answer

A meta-analysis allows researchers to analyze and synthesize the findings of previous studies on a given topic, providing an opportunity to reconcile inconsistencies and identify trends and patterns in the literature. This can inform future research and help clarify what strategies are most effective in persuasive communication. Therefore, D is the correct answer. A, B, and C are not directly related to the purpose of a meta-analysis.

Question 5

To say that persuasion is "pervasive" means

Accepted Answer

To say that persuasion is "pervasive" means that influence attempts are found everywhere you find people communicating, which is accurately reflected in choice A.

Question 6

In using a tool analogy to describe persuasion, Gass & Seiter wish to show that

Accepted Answer

Gass & Seiter use the tool analogy to emphasize that persuasion, like a tool, is neutral and its ethicality depends on the purpose for which it is used, whether for good or bad.

Question 7

The debunking function of persuasion helps one to

Accepted Answer

The debunking function of persuasion involves gaining awareness about false stereotypes and myths, helping individuals to recognize and understand misconceptions about persuasion.

Question 8

An example of habitual persuasion is

Accepted Answer

Habitual persuasion refers to the attempt to influence others through repeated and consistent messages or behaviors. Claiming "the dog ate it" as an excuse for turning in late assignments is an example of habitual persuasion as it involves consistently using a specific message or behavior to influence another person (the teacher) to forgive the late submission.

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the relationship of persuasion to the arts is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Art has been used as a persuasive tool throughout history, to influence perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of people. For example, propaganda art was used to persuade people during wartime, and advertising uses aesthetics to encourage consumer behavior. Thus, art can be as much about persuasion as it is about creating aesthetic works.

Question 10

Which of the following statements best reflects the view of persuasion offered by Gass & Seiter?

Accepted Answer

Gass and Seiter view persuasion as an essential, desirable feature of human interaction. They acknowledge that persuasion can have negative consequences, but ultimately argue that it is necessary and beneficial in many situations. They emphasize the importance of ethical persuasion that respects the individual's autonomy and promotes informed decision-making.

Question 11

Which of the following statements best characterizes persuasion, as opposed to propaganda?

Accepted Answer

Persuasion operates most effectively in interpersonal communication because it relies on building trust and establishing a connection between the persuader and the persuadee. Propaganda, on the other hand, is often disseminated through mass media and uses manipulative techniques to sway public opinion.

Question 12

Which of the following best reflects the view of persuasion offered in the text?

Accepted Answer

The text emphasizes that people are not as easily persuadable as many may think and that persuasion is a complex process that cannot always be fully understood or controlled.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about propaganda is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The term "propaganda" is often used in a negative sense to describe the manipulation of information to influence public opinion. While totalitarian regimes may make particularly aggressive use of propaganda, it is not exclusive to those types of governments. Both governments and private companies can use propaganda to shape messages and influence citizens or consumers. Additionally, while propaganda often has a political purpose, it can also be used for religious or commercial aims.

Question 14

Which of the following generalizations drawn from persuasion research is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Newly developed statistical techniques have helped resolve inconsistencies in persuasion research, allowing for more accurate generalizations.

Question 15

Persuasion research often produces "counter-intuitive" findings,e.g., results that are contrary to what common sense would dictate. Such findings highlight the ________________ function performed by the study of persuasion.

Accepted Answer

The term "counter-intuitive" suggests that the findings go against or "debunk" what is commonly believed or perceived to be true. Therefore, option D "debunking" is the correct choice to complete the sentence.

Question 16

According to Gass & Seiter, persuasion is best thought of as

Accepted Answer

Persuasion involves both scientific principles (such as cognitive psychology and communication theories) and artistic skills (such as the use of language, storytelling and emotional appeal), hence it is best thought of as a combination of science and art.

Question 17

The debunking function

Accepted Answer

The debunking function serves to correct erroneous perceptions about how persuasion works by providing accurate information and dispelling myths or misconceptions.

Question 18

The arena in which persuasive attempts enjoy the greatest likelihood of success is

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal communication allows for a more personal and persuasive approach, as there is direct interaction and the opportunity for feedback and discussion. This makes it more effective than other forms of media, where the message is less targeted and less likely to have the same level of impact on the individual.

Question 19

One reason for studying persuasion is to learn more about how and why people respond to persuasive messages. This is called the

Accepted Answer

The knowledge function of persuasion focuses on how and why people respond to persuasive messages in order to gain a deeper understanding of the process. This can help individuals better craft their own persuasive messages and become more effective in communicating their ideas. The attentiveness function is more focused on how persuasion captures people's attention, while the defensive function is focused on how people resist persuasion. The debunking function is focused on exposing false or misleading information.

Question 20

According to Gass & Seiter, persuasion

Accepted Answer

Gass and Seiter suggest that persuasion occurs in a variety of non-obvious or even weird contexts. Therefore, option D is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect as persuasion can occur in both mass media and interpersonal settings. Option B is incorrect as persuasion occurs in multiple disciplines, including natural sciences. Option C is also not entirely true as persuasion can occur in both mediated and non-mediated settings.

Quiz 1: Why Study Persuasion