The Effect of Self-Affirmation in Nonthreatening Persuasion Domains: Timing Affects the Process
Pablo Briñol1,
Richard E. Petty2*,
Ismael Gallardo3,
and
Kenneth G. DeMarree2
1 Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
2 The Ohio State University
3 Universidad de Talca
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: petty.1{at}osu.edu.
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Abstract |
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Most research on self-affirmation and persuasion has argued that self-affirmation buffers the self against the threat posed by a persuasive message; thus, it increases the likelihood that participants will respond to the message favorably. Little research, in contrast, has looked at the effects of self-affirmation on persuasive messages that are not threatening to the self. This research examines mechanisms that can operate under these conditions. Consistent with the idea that self-affirmation affects confidence, the article shows that self-affirmation can decrease information processing when induced prior to message reception (Experiment 1) and can increase the use of self-generated thoughts in response to a persuasive message when induced after message reception (Experiment 2). In addition, Experiment 3 manipulates the timing of self-affirmation to replicate both effects and Experiment 4 provides direct evidence for the impact of self-affirmation on confidence.
