Inoculation Theory and Affect

Authors

  • Josh Compton Dartmouth College
  • Bobi Ivanov University of Kentucky
  • Erin Hester University of Kentucky

Keywords:

persuasion, social influence, emotion, campaigns, resistance to influence

Abstract

Although affect factors into most theoretical explanations for inoculation-conferred resistance to influence, it has received comparably less attention than its cognitive features. What we do know from extant research, however, is important for our understanding of resistance to influence. This review surveys research in affect and inoculation theory with special attention to how affect can bolster or thwart resistance; how affective messages function in comparison with other approaches; and the role of specific emotions, like anger, in inoculation. It provides an overview of the conventional inoculation theoretical model and a careful reading of what we can learn from research exploring issues of affect in inoculation. 

Author Biographies

Josh Compton, Dartmouth College

Associate ProfessorInstitute for Writing and Rhetoric                  Dartmouth College                                         228, 37 Dewey Field Road Hanover, NH 03755                                       Office: (603) 646-9842                                   Email: josh.compton@dartmouth.edu

Bobi Ivanov, University of Kentucky

ProfessorDepartment of Integrated Strategic CommunicationCollege of Communication and InformationUniversity of Kentucky310J LCLI Little LibraryLexington, KY 40506-0224Office: (859) 257-9467

Erin Hester, University of Kentucky

Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Integrated Strategic CommunicationCollege of Communication and InformationUniversity of Kentucky 211 McVey HallLexington, KY 40506-0045

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Published

2022-06-29

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Section

Features