persuasion » persuasiveness
Last edited September 3, 2009
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Persuasion

An attempt to convince someone to do or believe something, for example, accept a particular conclusion – influencing someone to accept one's message, about a claim, proposition, hypothesis, etc.

 

(see also: suggestion, Foot-in-the-door technique, Slide effect, Social influences)

 

 

Persuasiveness

That an argument brings actors to accept its conclusion – a legitimately persuasive argument provides good grounds for (and satisfactorily relates these to) its conclusion. The persuasiveness of fallacious arguments depends upon factors* other than those of such logically convincing character. Arguments may be weak, invalid, or rely on a false premise(s).

 

*

other factors having an important role in an actor’s persuasiveness include their perceived authority, honesty, and likeability – people who are seen as psychically attractive tend to be better liked and therefore there is a greater likelihood they will treated as more trustworthy: making greater (though not repeatedly prolonged) eye contact and exhibiting an air of confidence, irrespective of the content of an arguer’s contentions (unless, for example, the claims made are absurd on their face), bestow a kind of halo effect of higher credibility upon individuals displaying such characteristics.

 

(see also: rhetoric, 'spin', prejudicial language, propaganda, argument, Framing, weasel words, soundness, problem of adequacy, fallacy, reasoning, conclusion, claim, evidence, (hidden) assumptions, establish, support, ground, justification, controversies)
 

  

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