Two tests of the mechanism of inoculation theory

Abstract

Two studies were conducted on two controversial topics to test the hypothesized mechanism of resistance. No support was found for the assumption that resistance occurs by increasing the audiences’ production of counterarguments to persuasive attacks. Furthermore, unlike McGuire's findings on cultural truism topics, refutation‐same defenses were not substantially better at creating resistance to immediate persuasive attack than supportive defenses. Finally, neither level of audience involvement in the topic nor the audience's prior attitude toward the topic were found to influence the effectiveness of type of defense.