Acts of theoretical and conceptual explication— particularly intensive study of prerequisite variables—return us to fundamental interests of theory development and understanding. A better understanding of inoculation theory particularly means a better understanding of communication generally.
Josh Compton
Many contemporary persuasion scholars consider threat to be a prerequisite for conferred resistance to influence through the process of attitudinal inoculation. Yet, despite its significance, we know very little about the nature or function of threat. This essay focuses attention on this single variable, arguing that a better understanding of threat leads to better understanding of how attitudinal inoculation confers resistance. Directions for future research are offered.
Compton, J. (2009). Threat explication: What we know and don’t yet know about a key component of inoculation theory. STAM Journal, 39, 1-18.
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