Defensive communication revisited: A critical examination of Gibb's Theory

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Abstract
A critical review of Gibb's theory of defensive communication found that neither the role of persuasion nor the role of individual differences in the formation and change of supportive and defensive communication climates had received adequate research attention. It was hypothesized that (1) the introduction of persuasion into a situation in which resistance could be expected would shift the climate in a defensive direction, (2) successful persuasion would shift the climate in a supportive direction, (3) persons classified as “B” on the A‐B therapist style variable would be perceived as being more defensive than persons classified as “A”, and (4) “Bs” would expect to be perceived as being more defensive than would “As.” Analysis of data collected in a laboratory setting supported all four hypotheses.