MA, Kent State University, 2011, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

The persuasive processes underlying three different methods of message framing were examined. Persuasive processes included perceptions of feeling right, perceptions of fluency, and the extent of cognitive elaboration measured by a thought listing task. Additionally, fixation duration using an eye tracker was examined to determine if participants' message viewing behavior differed by match type. Correlations between message viewing, interest, and perceived fluency were also examined. The results indicated that in some cases, when message characteristics matched the characteristics of a participant, participants had a fewer number of positive thoughts about the message than when the messages did not match. There was no difference in message viewing behavior. The findings as a whole do not support persuasive effects of message framing when considering existing theory. Additionally, the results suggesting differences underlying cognitive processing by match type are mixed. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed

Committee: John Updegraff PhD (Advisor); Kristin Mickelson PhD (Committee Member); Mary Ann Stephens PhD (Committee Member); Karin Coifman PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology