ABSTRACT

The seventh edition of this field-leading textbook provides an accessible and rigorous presentation of major theories of persuasion and their applications to a variety of real-world contexts.

In addition to presenting established theories and models, this text encourages students to develop and apply general conclusions about persuasion in real-world settings. Along the way, students are introduced to the practice of social influence in an array of contexts (e.g., advertising, marketing, politics, interpersonal relationships, social media, groups) and across a variety of topics (e.g., credibility, personality, deception, motivational appeals, visual persuasion). The new edition features expanded treatment of digital and social media; up-to-date research on theory and practice; an increased number of international cases; and new and expanded discussions of topics such as online influencers, disinformation and 'fake news,' deepfakes, message framing, normative influence, stigmatized language, and inoculation theory.


This is the ideal textbook for courses on persuasion in communication, psychology, advertising, and marketing programs. Instructors can also use the book’s downloadable test bank, instructor’s manual, and PowerPoint slides in preparing course material.

chapter Chapter 1|30 pages

Why Study Persuasion?

chapter Chapter 2|21 pages

What Constitutes Persuasion?

chapter Chapter 3|33 pages

Attitudes and Consistency

chapter Chapter 4|23 pages

Credibility

chapter Chapter 5|32 pages

Communicator Characteristics and Persuasion

chapter Chapter 6|30 pages

Conformity and Influence in Groups

chapter Chapter 7|25 pages

Language and Persuasion

chapter Chapter 8|29 pages

Nonverbal Influence

chapter Chapter 9|27 pages

Structuring and Ordering Persuasive Messages

chapter Chapter 10|26 pages

Compliance Gaining

chapter Chapter 11|24 pages

Sequential Persuasion

chapter Chapter 12|26 pages

Deception

chapter Chapter 13|29 pages

Motivational Appeals

chapter Chapter 14|27 pages

Visual Persuasion

chapter Chapter 15|29 pages

Esoteric Forms of Persuasion

chapter Chapter 16|25 pages

The Ethics of Persuasion