Effects of trainer expressiveness, seductive details, and trainee goal orientation on training outcomes

Abstract

This study focuses on trainer expressiveness and trainee mastery orientation within the context of the seductive details effect. The seductive details effect refers to inclusion of "highly interesting and entertaining information that is only tangentially related to the topic" (Harp & Mayer, 1998, p. 1). One hundred thirty-two participants listened to lectures that differed in seductive details and trainer expressiveness. Results indicated that participants had the highest problem-solving score after an expressive, seductive-details lecture. High-mastery participants in the nonseductive/ expressive condition did best on recall.