Introduction to Rhetoric and Persuasion

Propaganda

• Propaganda is a form of communication aimed at influencing public opinion or behavior.

Persuasion vs. Coercion

• Persuasion involves influencing a person's attitude or behavior through reasoning and argumentation, without threat or force.
• Coercion involves influencing an individual's behavior or actions through force, pressure, or threats.

3-Word Definition of Advertising

• (No definition provided)

Socratic Method Roots

• The Socratic Method is rooted in questioning and dialogue.

Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos, Telos

• These are rhetorical appeals:
  • Ethos: Appeal to credibility or character.
  • Pathos: Appeal to emotion.
  • Logos: Appeal to logic or reason.
  • Kairos: Appeal to the right time and place.
  • Telos: Desired outcome or purpose.

Sophists vs. Aristotelians

• Sophists focused on persuasive rhetoric, often viewed as manipulative.
• Aristotelians focused on ethical and logical reasoning in rhetoric.

Utilitarianism

• Utilitarianism is a philosophy that emphasizes maximizing overall happiness or well-being.

Categories of Fallacies

• (No fallacies listed)

Norm

• A norm is a standard of behavior or belief considered typical or acceptable in a given society.

Accessibility

• Accessibility refers to how easily something (information, idea, etc.) can be recalled or accessed by an individual.

Theory of Planned Behavior/Reasoned Action Model

• Predicts behavior based on attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.

Forced Teaming & Unsolicited Promise (Predatory Persuasion)

• These tactics involve manipulative and potentially unethical persuasion methods.

Credibility & Context

• Credibility is the believability of a source, which is affected by context.

Need for Cognition

• Refers to an individual's enjoyment and tendency to engage in effortful thought processes.

Accessibility Theory (Core Notion)

• Accessibility implies easy recall of information, impacting persuasion.

Primacy vs. Recency (Messaging)

• Primacy effect: Initial information is more influential, recency effect: recent information is more influential for persuasion strategies.

Compliance-Gaining Tactics

• Foot-in-the-door, door-in-the-face, dump-and-chase, that's-not-all are tactics for persuasion.

Mere Exposure

• Repeated exposure to something can increase liking of it.

Wear-out

• Overexposure to something leads to boredom/less effect.

Communication Campaign Description

• (No campaign description provided)

Social Norms Campaigns

• (No details about effectiveness provided)

Stage Model Definition

• (No definition given)

Inoculation Theory

• Inoculation theory argues that by exposing someone to a weakened form of persuasive argument, it can bolster their resistance to it when they are later confronted with the opposing side.

Attitudes vs. Beliefs vs. Values

• Attitudes: Evaluations of something, beliefs: what an individual accepts as true, values: strongly held principles.

Social Judgment Theory

• Social Judgment theory explains how messages are evaluated based on a person's frame of reference.

Injunctive vs. Descriptive Norms

• Injunctive norms: how people should behave; descriptive norms: what people actually do.

Fear & Guilt Appeals

• Appeals to fear or guilt often impact attitudes or behavior.

EPPM (Extended Parallel Process Model)

• Uses threat and efficacy information (to reduce fear and inspire action).

PCPAM (Stages of Change Model)

• Explains behavior change through stages, focusing on readiness and strategic approaches.

Cognitive Dissonance

• Psychological discomfort caused by conflicting beliefs or behaviors.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Group Membership)

• Joining a group with difficult initiation rituals can lead to greater appreciation and value associated with the group to reduce dissonance.

Hypocrisy Induction

• Hypocrisy induction: a strategy designed to prompt behavior change by inducing dissonance.

Dissonance Reduction

• Strategies to reduce cognitive dissonance include changing attitudes and beliefs, rationalizing behaviors, and seeking supporting information.

ELM (Elaboration Likelihood Model)

• ELM describes central (logic) and peripheral (heuristics) routes to persuasion. Factors such as involvement, need for cognition, and ability influence route taken.

Product Placement

• Product placement strategically integrates products/brands into media contexts.

Transtheoretical Model

• Explains behavioral change through stages, suggesting strategic approaches aligned with where a person is in their progress toward a target behavior, and "readiness to act."

Acquiescence

• Acquiescence is the tendency to agree without critical thinking.

Social Desirability

• A bias when people alter responses to present themselves favorably.

Transportation

• Transportation refers to a psychological state where individuals become fully immersed in a narrative.

This quiz explores fundamental concepts in rhetoric, including propaganda, persuasion, and the Socratic Method. Learn about the different rhetorical appeals such as ethos, pathos, logos, kairos, and telos, as well as the distinctions between Sophists and Aristotelians. Test your understanding of how these elements influence communication and public opinion.