A study of the influence audience reactions have on the individual members of the audience in judging speaker expertise. (CH)

In 1921, during the course of a news conference, President Warren G. Harding misinterpreted the provisions of one of the treaties then under consideration by delegates to the Washington Disarmament Conference. His error was corrected in a few hours, but this incident was blown out of proportion by those who were convinced that Harding was an inept…

Reports results of a study in which the investigator attempted to identify dimensions of perceived vocal attributes, assess the specific effects of perceived vocal attributes on credibility evaluations, and compare attributes and dimensions of attributes on their contributions to variance in credibility judgments. (GW)

Respondents with combat experience were found to be more dissatisfied with the medium's performance and more sensitive to its effect on viewers than were other veterans. (KS)

Because Blacks have been shown to watch more television than whites, some researchers have concluded that Blacks deem television to be more credible than whites. National survey data for four years between 1975 and 1982 confirm this belief, but the results do not explain why or whether this pattern continues. (KH)

Investigated counselor credibility with alcoholics (N=40) and nonalcoholics (N=30). Results suggested that, for alcoholics, professional training increases credibility regardless of history of alcoholism; and for nonalcoholics recovered alcoholics and professionals were judged to be equally trustworthy and expert. (LLL)

Used bibliographic citation analysis to compare and contrast three rehabilitation journals listed in the Social Science Citation Index from 1977 through 1980. Citation analysis showed the primary function of rehabilitation journals to be the translation of knowledge developed in other allied disciplines to rehabilitation concerns. (Author/LLL)

Reports that residents of a midwestern community perceived local newspapers to be fairer than newspapers in general but that their attitudes were affected by structural factors. (FL)

Proposes that political candidates, particularly those running for lesser offices, be required to make their party affiliation visible. This would protect the voter from misrepresentation and help stop the erosion of political parties. (CK)

Assesses juror comprehension of oral instructions used in criminal cases and indicates that instructions significantly increase comprehension. Areas of instruction most difficult to understand include definition of the crime; the terms information, reasonable doubt, and material allegation; and application of the concepts of reasonable doubt and…

Presents and tests a theory of nonverbal behavior during deception and the ability of deceivers to control these classes of behaviors. Behaviors examined are bodily movement, facial nervousness, and vocal nervousness. (JMF)

Examines effects of the availability and use of nonverbal information on the detection of deception. Results indicate that the amount of information, both total and nonverbal, does not predict accuracy in detecting deception. Suggests that an interaction between use of nonverbal and verbal information occurs when observers make veracity judgments.…

Popular publications about the life-after-death phenomenon are summarized, and the ramifications for death education courses are discussed. (JD)

Investigated the effects of the presence and typicality of detail in a witness' testimony on mock juror judgments. Results indicate that the presence of detail affected the ratings of witnesses. Atypical or typical detail provided by one witness, with no detail provided by the opposing witness, enhanced assessments of the former. (RJM)

Tests viewers' responses to video news releases (VNRs). Shows that viewers assign significantly more credibility to VNR-based messages than to similar advertisements; level of credibility given to newscasts was found to be a significant predictor of VNR recall. Discusses implications for future research into VNR use. (PA)