Persuasive Communication, Second Edition

"Stiff and Mongeau present a masterful synthesis of the persuasion literature that is deep enough for use in graduate classes, but so accessible and engaging that it will appeal to undergraduates as well. The second edition offers fresh insights into classic issues and comprehensive, up-to-the-moment coverage of contemporary questions."--James P. Dillard, PhD, Department of Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"This updated second edition provides a clear, coherent, and integrated presentation of persuasion theory and research that goes well beyond the typical, superficial smattering of loosely related findings....The book piques the student's curiosity regarding persuasive phenomena and then provides sound, theory-based evidence to help sort through the issues....[The authors'] willingness to address competing explanations for developing areas of research provides a fruitful starting point for in-depth class discussion and analysis."--Melanie R. Trost, PhD, Department of Communications, University of Montana

"With this revision, Stiff and Mongeau have both preserved and enhanced the tradition of Persuasive Communication as the premier text for persuasion courses. Presented is an authoritative balance of classic and contemporary approaches. Readers will find a thorough and balanced analysis of current trends in persuasion research, along with a clear presentation of the scientific lineage that led up to today's cutting-edge research programs. The book's scope is sufficiently broad for an intermediate-level undergraduate course, but its analysis and detail are suitable for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate student readers."--Chris Segrin, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Arizona

This popular text provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of persuasive messages and their effects. Concepts and methods from communication and social psychology are seamlessly integrated to give students a solid grasp of foundational issues in persuasion research, the core features of persuasive transactions, and major models of persuasive communication. Distinguished by its clear organization and wealth of concrete examples, this is an ideal text for advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses for students with a basic understanding of quantitative research methods.