Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1615

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Publication type: Journal Article

Douglas KM, Sutton RM.
Right about others, wrong about ourselves? Actual and perceived self-other differences in resistance to persuasion
Br J Soc Psychol 2004 Dec; 43:(Pt 4):585-603
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpsoc/bjsp/2004/00000043/00000004/art00007?token=005c10cc4e7247444f6d6222346b62687633502b333e3541333c4a2f246c6a38574b675423783c77eefc266e7e60

Abstract:

The third-person effect (TPE) is the tendency for people to perceive the media as more influential on others than on themselves. This study introduced a new methodological paradigm for measuring the TPE and examined whether the effect stems from an overestimation of the persuasibility of others, an underestimation of the persuasibility of the self, both, or neither.

In three studies, we compared ratings of:

(a) current self attitudes (both baseline and post-persuasion),

(b) current others’ attitudes (both baseline and post-persuasion),

© retrospective self attitudes, and (

d) retrospective others’ attitudes.

We also measured traditional third-person perception ratings of perceived influence. Rather than overestimating others’ attitude change, we found evidence that people underestimated the extent to which their own attitudes had, or would have, changed.

Keywords:
Adult Attitude* Female Firearms/legislation & jurisprudence* Humans Male New Zealand Personal Construct Theory* Persuasive Communication* Prospective Studies Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Retrospective Studies Self Concept* Social Conformity* Students/psychology