Social Psychology

Question 1

Research on persuasion suggests that source credibility is most affected by which of the following?

A. attractiveness and likeability
B. intelligence and personality
C. expertise and trustworthiness
D. expertise and attractiveness

Answer 1

C. expertise and trustworthiness

Answer C is correct. Research by Hovland, Janis, and Kelley (1953) found that the credibility of the source of a persuasive message is affected primarily by the source’s level of expertise and trustworthiness.