Using the Emotion-in-Relationships Model to Predict Features of Interpersonal Influence Attempts

Abstract

This paper considers how the Emotion-in-Relationships Model (ERM), a theory designed to predict people's experience of emotion, might explain persuasive messages. A study was conducted in which 248 individuals simulated leaving a date request voicemail message. Consistent with ERM, people's perceptions of interference from partners were positively associated with appraisals of self threat and relationship threat and negatively associated with the fluency of messages. People's perceptions of facilitation from partners were positively associated with identity management strategies, positive politeness, and the affection of messages. These results persisted after covarying relationship satisfaction. Taken together, the findings shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of ERM as a theory of interpersonal communication.

Keywords:

• Emotion-in-Relationships Model
• Interference
• Facilitation
• Requests

Acknowledgements

Data collection procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Illinois. Findings from the same data set were reported by Knobloch (2006). The authors are grateful to John Elliott, Heidi Fromm, Joanna Mabee, Maggie MacCarron, Rebecca Murrow, Paul Spilker, Jamie Rodgers, Courtney Schien, and Lauren Walker for assistance with data collection, coding, and rating.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leanne K. Knobloch

Leanne K. Knobloch (PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2001) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois

Bethany Schmelzer

Bethany Schmelzer earned her MA degree in 2007