Journal article
Audience Reaction and Its Effect On Perceived Expertise
Communication research, Vol.2(1), pp.79-85
01/1975
DOI: 10.1177/009365027500200105
Abstract
A hypothesis derived from Festinger's (1954) social comparison theory suggests that in circumstances of uncertainty or ambiguity the perception of a speaker's expertise will be liable to influence by the reactions of an "audience. " As a test of this prediction two groups of subjects were presented with a televised lecture on a technical topic with which they were unfamiliar. One group saw the lecture with positive audience reactions inserted and one with negative audience reactions. In the negative condition the lecturer was rated as less expert (p <0.05), more confusing (p < 0.01), and more shallow (p < 0.05), whilst ratings of personal attractiveness were unaffected. It is concluded that perceived expertise is subject to manipulation and bias under conditions of unfamiliarity and uncertainty.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Audience Reaction and Its Effect On Perceived Expertise
- Creators
- Steven W. Duck - Lancaster University GhanaJon Baggaley - University of Liverpool
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Communication research, Vol.2(1), pp.79-85
- DOI
- 10.1177/009365027500200105
- ISSN
- 0093-6502
- eISSN
- 1552-3810
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/1975
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Rhetoric
- Record Identifier
- 9984397194402771
Metrics
5 Record Views