ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION OF A SUGGESTION

Abstract

The phenomenon of acceptance or rejection of a suggestion was investigated from the viewpoint of credibility. To clarify the linkage of cause and effect in the attribution of credibility to the source, a new experimental procedure was devised: Watching a videotape recorder, 649 junior high school students were informed of the estimated values of eye measurements conducted by the source, and the actual values measured by the experimenter. In observing the manner and performances of the source, the Ss were asked to evaluate, one after another, the source's ability and attitude, and based on the process of evaluation, they attributed credibility to the source. They were then introduced to a situation where their own eye-measurement ability was evaluated, and just before they began the task, a suggestion from the source was presented. Acceptance or rejection of the suggestion occurred, according to different degrees of perceived credibility. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)