Final Review for COMM 120: Persuasion and Skepticism

Skepticism

Critical inquiry evaluating claims through evidence examination.

True Belief

Acceptance of claims without solid reasoning or evidence.

Cynicism

Fault-finding and ridiculing others' beliefs.

Probability Model

Framework assessing claims' likelihood, not certainty.

Possibility

Could happen, but not reliable for claims.

Plausibility

Logical case lacking substantial evidence.

Probability

Assessment of odds for a claim's truth.

Certainty

Claim without exception; absolute certainty discouraged.

Disconfirmation

Superficial explanations for contradictory evidence.

Burden of Proof

Obligation to present evidence supporting claims.

Biased Sources

Sources with extreme viewpoints affecting credibility.

Law of Truly Large Numbers

Large numbers imply anything can happen.

False Dichotomy

Fallacy presenting only two options in reality.

Ad populum

Persuasion based on popular belief rather than evidence.

Ad hominem

Attacking character instead of argument validity.

Non-sequitur

Conclusion not logically following premises.

Reductio ad absurdum

Argument showing opposite scenario as absurd.

Rationalization of Disconfirmation

Creating explanations to support a point despite contradictions.

Syllogism

Logical structure with major premise, minor premise, conclusion.

Collectivism

Emphasis on group harmony and cooperation.

Individualism

Focus on personal goals and self-expression.

Speaker-Audience Relationship

Connection emphasizing individual benefits in speeches.

Cultural Implications

Speech strategies vary between collectivist and individualist audiences.

Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)

Framework for processing persuasive messages through central and peripheral routes.

Central Route

Mindful processing of messages with credible evidence.

Peripheral Route

Mindless processing with little attention to message content.

Attitude-Behavior Consistency

Changing attitudes alone is insufficient; behavior must also change.

Direct Experience

Attitudes formed from direct experience align closely with behavior.

Social Pressure

Fear of disapproval complicates delivering controversial speeches.

Effort Required

High effort needed can lead to attitude-behavior inconsistency.

Social Judgement Theory

Attitude change occurs by comparing new messages to existing attitudes.

Latitude of Acceptance

Range of positions a person finds tolerable.

Latitude of Noncommitment

Positions that evoke neutral responses.

Latitude of Rejection

Positions deemed too far from a person's anchor attitude.

Pathos

Emotional appeals used to influence behavior.

Fear Appeals

Emotional strategies to invoke fear for persuasion.

Conditions for Fear Appeals

Audience must feel vulnerable and perceive recommendations as effective.

Anger Activism Model

Anger can motivate constructive behavior under specific conditions.

Cognitive Dissonance

Discomfort from holding inconsistent beliefs or behaviors.

Contrast Effect

Bigger requests are more accepted after larger initial requests.

Psychological Reactance

Resistance to perceived control or coercion.

Anger Activism Model (AMM)

Explains how anger and efficacy influence social movement participation.