Providing an accessible integration of theory and research methods, this text prepares students to critically analyze persuasive appeals and to design effective messages and campaigns. The book draws on key ideas from both communication and social psychology to explore the mutual influence of cognitive and affective processes and the characteristics and production of messages. It gives the reader a solid grasp of foundational issues in persuasion research, the core components of persuasive transactions, and major theoretical models. Instructive concrete examples illustrate applications of the concepts in such settings as health promotion, political campaigns, the courtroom, and advertising. ÿ New to This Edition *Engaging topic boxes on college drinking, attitudes about same-sex marriage, the "birther" movement, and other timely issues. *New or expanded discussions of the integrative model of behavioral prediction, the use of guilt appeals, social media, individualized tailoring of political messages, and numerous other topics. *The latest data and theoretical perspectives. *Epilogue on current and future trends in the field.

This accessible introductory textbook in persuasive communication speaks directly to the student by focusing on real-life experiences in personal, social, and professional contexts. Through its use of rhetoric, criticism, and social scientific research, this book helps readers understand, analyze, and use persuasion in their lives and careers. It explores techniques of verbal and visual persuasion for use in business and professional communication, health communication, and everyday life, as well as expanded coverage of persuasion in social movements and social advocacy. It also pays attention throughout to ethical considerations and to the significance of new media. This textbook is a student-friendly introduction suitable for use in undergraduate courses in persuasion, health communication, and business communication. The companion website includes an instructor’s manual with test questions, sample assignments, web links, and other resources, as well as PowerPoint slides. Visit www.routledge.com/wahl

Communication in Everyday Life: A Survey of Communication offers an engaging introduction to communication based on the belief that communication and relationships are always interconnected. Best-selling authors Steve Duck and David T. McMahan incorporate this theme of a relational perspective and a focus on everyday communication to show the connections between concepts and how they can be understood through a shared perspective. Students will learn how topics in communication come together as part of a greater whole, as well as gain practical communication skills, from listening to critical thinking and using technology to communicate. The Fourth Edition includes enhancements to its proven pedagogical features that reflect updates in research, cultural and societal changes, and emerging issues.

Practical and innovative, this book will assist students in developing their skills in effective, influential business communication. It is replete with research-based examples, tips and exercises and covers topics such as: customizing messages to different audiences; dealing with angry employers and customers; managing speech anxiety and stage fright; increasing credibility; and creating high-impact presentations.

This third edition situates contemporary persuasive practices against the background of the rich history of rhetoric and within the setting of a democratic state. The work is theoretically well-grounded and considerate of the practical dimensions of persuasion - from its broad starting points in an interpersonal setting to its manifestation as mass persuasion or propaganda in the wider political sphere. Contemporary examples, including rhetorical discourses of South African statesmen, are provided to facilitate understanding. Throughout, the author addresses critical issues that are important to communication science scholars and practitioners, as well as those active in related disciplines such as political science, sociology, social psychology and rhetorical studies. In fact, the book should be helpful to potential persuaders and persuadees across the broad spectrum of society as it will give persuadees a better chance to identify persuasion and defend themselves against the unscrupulous.

This updated and expanded edition of Persuasive Communication offers a comprehensive introduction to persuasion and real-world decision making. Drawing on empirical research from social psychology, neuroscience, business communication research, cognitive science, and behavioral economics, Young reveals the thought processes of many different audiences—from investors to CEOs—to help students better understand why audiences make the decisions they make and how to influence them. The book covers a broad range of communication techniques, richly illustrated with compelling examples, including resumes, speeches, and slide presentations, to help students recognize persuasive methods that do, and do not, work. A detailed analysis of the emotions and biases that go into decision making arms students with perceptive insights into human behavior and helps them apply this understanding with various decision-making aids. Students will learn how to impact potential employers, clients, and other audiences essential to their success. This book will prove fascinating to many, and especially useful for students of persuasion, rhetoric, and business communication.

Persuasion: Theory and Research, Third Edition is a comprehensive overview of social-scientific theory and research on persuasion. Written in a clear and accessible style that assumes no special technical background in research methods, the Third Edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect developments in persuasion studies. New discussions of subjects such as reactance and the use of narratives as vehicles for persuasion, revised treatments of the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, and two new chapters on social judgment theory and stage models provide your students with the most current work on persuasion in a clear, straightforward manner. In this edition, author Daniel J. O′Keefe has given special attention to the importance of adapting (tailoring) messages to audiences to maximize persuasiveness. Each chapter has a set of review questions to guide students through the chapter’s material and quickly master the concepts being introduced.

A text with a unique compilation with a three-part focus: persuasion, writing, and speaking. Professors can adapt the order of chapters to meet the needs of their course structure. Students can study current theory and research in persuasion while sharpening their research, writing, and speaking skills.

The history of drug abuse prevention campaigns suggests limitations in producing measurable changes in behavior. In the past, there was concern over the possibility of such publicity actually encouraging interest in drug use, rather than discouraging such behavior. Although little or no scientifically sound empirical evidence has been found to support such a view, several social science textbooks still refer to this as something of which to be wary. Reviews of early research appear to indicate inadequate methods and a lack of rigor in theory testing. In recent years, however, research in communication and its uses in drug abuse prevention has become considerably more sophisticated, and communication is being used far more effectively. In this book, the editors bring together some of the most successful drug abuse prevention researchers in the country -- along with other experts in this field or in persuasive communication -- to address use and effects of both mass media and interpersonal strategies. This collection illustrates just how far the study of public influence through mass media has come, especially regarding such a vital, relevant issue as drug abuse prevention.

"This fully-updated fourth edition introduces readers to the rich tapestry of persuasive technique and scholarship, interweaving perspectives from rhetoric, critical theory, and social science and applying their insights to practical political, social, and business contexts. This text examines current and classical theory through the lens of contemporary culture, encouraging readers to explore the nature of persuasion and to understand its impact in their lives. Employing a contemporary approach, it draws from popular culture, mass media, social media, advertising, political campaigns, and social movements to help readers become informed creators and consumers of persuasive messages. Case studies show how and why people fall for persuasive messages, demonstrating how persuasion works at a cognitive level. This new edition includes extended treatment of the ethics of persuasion, including opposing views on handling controversial issues in the college classroom; a new chapter on propaganda and ideology; and a greater focus on digital contexts and social media. Discussion questions, exercises, and key terms are provided for each chapter. This textbook will be a valuable tool for students of communication, media studies, politics, psychology, and business and advertising. Online resources for instructors include PowerPoint slides and test bank"--