An effort was made in this study to determine whether the absence or presence of news film in a television news segment influences a believability or preference judgment made by a respondent when comparing a television report directly with a newspaper report of the same event. One hundred eight students at Temple University viewed one of two…

Determining what aspects of television entertainment program content influence a viewer in his decision about the real/pretend nature of that content was the purpose of this study, in which interviews were conducted with children, adolescents, and adults. Interview responses were coded in categories of content cues, with the coding of content…

Sixty college students were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions in a study of the effects of inadmissible evidence on a jury's verdict. The first group was exposed to the inadmissible evidence and a ruling that it was inadmissible; the second group, to the inadmissible testimony without objection; the third group, to the…

Studies the effects of evidence in persuasive communication and suggests that the nature of the communication topic may be significantly related to evidence effectiveness and the attitude change process. (MH)

Describes a study using the accentuation theory to predict differential effects of heckling on speaker credibility and attitude change, depending on whether the audience identifies with the heckler or the speaker. (JMF)

The dramaturgical dimensions of the "theater of fact" as found in two anti-war plays, "Discourse on Viet Nam" by Peter Weiss and "Xa: A Vietnam Primer" by the ProVisional Theatre are examined. In these plays the author finds that Vietnamese history becomes rhetorical testament in arguments against United States…

Information about television viewing was taken from residents of a black community. The findings show that black viewers believe male reporters more than female reporters. When the sex of the newscaster is not considered, there is greater believability of black newscasters over white ones. (VM)

Examines audience reactions to informative public speakers' use of self-disparaging humor. Concludes that speakers using such humor may be perceived as more humorous, but also run the risk of reducing their perceived competence, having the audience associate with them less, and producing speeches that are rated as less interesting. (MM)

Investigated credibility of sources of information about alcohol among high school students (N=76). Students rated their own experience with alcohol and the information provided by a recovered alcoholic as most credible and rated the information provided by a friend who drinks as least credible. (Author/ABL)

With increased media scrutiny has come the need for better public relations in higher education. Some rules and practices for crisis communications are presented, including: make sure the staff speaks one language, review what can and cannot be said, help reporters out, treat reporters fairly, be accessible, etc. (MLW)

Discusses issues complicating the message of alcohol education, including the ambivalent nature of alcohol itself, personal uncertainty about the effects of alcohol, and moral issues. Suggests that the schools may be too involved in alcohol education and risk losing credibility with students. (JAC)

Anglo-American and Mexican-American women, assigned to pregnancy counselor descriptions based on ethnicity and choice philosophy, rated counselor's credibility and attractiveness. Ethnically similar counselors were not viewed as more credible or more attractive. Individual choice philosophy was not dependent on ethnicity. Mexican-American women…