Anticipation of exposure to persuasive messages and belief change.

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Abstract
150 undergraduates were told that they would listen to speeches advocating positions opposite to their initial beliefs and that the effect of these speeches on their opinions would be measured. Warnings about forthcoming speeches were given on 4 issues, and the effectiveness and reputability of their sources were varied orthogonally in order to test predictions from self-esteem theory. The topic and direction of argument of a 5th speech was announced, but Ss were told that they would not hear it. The inclusion of this condition allowed comparison between predictions derived from self-esteem and cognitive balance theories. Postwarning beliefs of Ss favor the balance interpretation of forewarning and suggest that belief change following warning may not be anticipatory. A compromise interpretation in terms of variable orientations toward belief expression is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

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