Telepresence and Exemplification: Does Spatial Presence Impact Sleeper Effects?

Abstract

Exemplification theory (Zillmann, 1999, 2002; Zillmann & Brosius, 2000) suggests exemplar representations in media content may cause people to make overestimated judgments about observed phenomena. Other exemplification research also notes the possibility of a sleeper effect (Gibson & Zillmann, 1994). One hundred forty-seven participants viewed a news story about a terrorist attack in Iraq in one of five conditions meant to manipulate aspects of telepresence and a sleeper effect. Data were not consistent with predictions related to telepresence and sleeper effects. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords:

• Exemplification
• Risk/crisis Communication
• Sleeper Effects
• Telepresence

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Westerman

David Westerman (PhD, Michigan State University, 2007) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.

Patric R. Spence

Patric R. Spence (PhD, Wayne State University, 2005) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication and the Division of Instructional Communication at the University of Kentucky.

Kenneth A. Lachlan

Kenneth A. Lachlan (PhD, Michigan State University, 2003) is an associate professor and chair of the Communication Department at the University of Massachusetts Boston.