Modeling Interactional Influence in Advice Exchanges: Advice Giver Goals and Recipient Evaluations

Abstract

This study examined how advice givers' self-reported interaction goals influence recipients' evaluations of advice. A typology of giver goals was developed based on message production theories, and the influence of goal pursuit on evaluations of advice was analyzed in interactions between friends (N=189 dyads). In the structural equation model, several giver goals directly affected recipients' evaluations of specific advice features (e.g., greater effort to give efficacious and feasible advice resulted in ratings of advice as more efficacious and feasible). In turn, recipient evaluations of specific message features influenced their ratings of advice message quality. Advice giver goals of efficacy/feasibility, politeness, and novelty led to positive recipient ratings, whereas effort to change the recipient's mind led to negative evaluations.

Keywords:

• Advice
• Support Provision
• Interaction Goals
• Dyadic Influence

Acknowledgments

This study is based on the first author's master's thesis, directed by the second author, and was supported in part by a grant from the College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lisa Mary Guntzviller

Lisa M. Guntzviller, MA is a doctoral candidate at the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University

Erina Lynne MacGeorge

Erina L. MacGeorge, PhD is an Associate Professor at the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University