The Sleeper Effect: A Phenomenon in Persuasion

Which of the following statements about the sleeper effect and its impact on persuasion are accurate and which are not?

The sleeper effect refers to the phenomenon where people initially discount information coming from a low-credibility source but may later be persuaded by it as they forget the source of the information.

The following statements about the sleeper effect and its impact on persuasion are accurate:

1. The sleeper effect is more likely to occur when the message is initially perceived as negative, threatening, or counter-attitudinal.
2. The sleeper effect is more likely to occur when there is a delay between receiving the message and being asked to evaluate it.
3. The sleeper effect is more likely to occur in situations where the receiver has a low level of involvement or interest in the topic.

However, the following statement is not accurate:

• The sleeper effect is always a positive outcome of persuasion. In some cases, the sleeper effect can lead to negative consequences if the information is inaccurate or if the source is unreliable.

Answer:

The sleeper effect is a fascinating phenomenon in persuasion that has been studied extensively by researchers. It offers valuable insights into how people process information and make decisions based on various factors. Let's delve deeper into the accurate statements about the sleeper effect and its impact on persuasion.