The Effects of Varying Mode of Opinion Statement Presentation on the Latitudes of Acceptance, Rejection, and Uncertainty

Summary

The effects of four different modes of opinion statement presentation on latitudes of acceptance, rejection, and uncertainty were examined. It was predicted that random presentation of opinion statements would alter both measured latitudes of acceptance and latitudes of rejection because of greater difficulty of judgment than if the statements were presented in rank-order. Similar predictions were made for successive versus simultaneous presentations. Two hundred and twenty male and female undergraduates, randomly assigned to four experimental conditions, indicated the degree to which they personally accepted or rejected statements regarding the value of marijuana. Three of the four predictions were supported. The findings suggest that whether an individual agrees or disagrees with a particular statement of opinion may depend not only on the content of the statement but on the manner in which it is presented.