John S. Seiter

The acceptability of deception as a function of perceivers' culture, deceiver's intention, and deceiver‐deceived relationship

This study explored the degree to which deception is perceived to be a socially acceptable form of communication. It was suspected that a liars motivation for deceiving, a perceivers cultural background, and the type of relationship between a liar and the target of a lie (e.g., spouse, friend, stranger, etc.) would affect the perceived acceptability of deceptive messages. Students from China and the United States rated the degree to which they perceived deceptive acts depicted in written scenarios as acceptable or unacceptable. Results indicated that 1) lies told for malicious or self‐benefiting purposes were perceived as less acceptable than mutually‐benefiting lies and lies that benefit others; and 2) culture and the type of relationship between liars and targets of lies interacted with motive for lying to affect the perceived acceptability of deception. These results, their implications, and avenues for future research are discussed.

Pierced for Success?: The Effects of Ear and Nose Piercing on Perceptions of Job Candidates’ Credibility, Attractiveness, and Hireability

This study examined the effect of body piercing on perceptions of an employment seekers credibility, hirability, and attractiveness. Participants (undergraduate students and managers) viewed a photograph of a job candidate who wore either no jewelry, an earring, or a nose ring, and then rated dimensions of the candidates credibility, hirability, and attractiveness. Analysis indicated that although the candidates attractiveness ratings were not affected by the type of jewelry he wore, his credibility ratings decreased when he was wearing jewelry, and his hirability ratings decreased when he was wearing a nose ring. These results and their implications are discussed.

Surviving TUrbulent Organizational Environments: A Case Study Examination of a Lumber Company's Internal and External Influence Attempts

As a result of recent environmentalist attacks, environmental legislation, and a weakening economy, Southern Californias Ganahl Lumber Company faces a situation which threatens its image, resources, financial viability, and survival. Using qualitative data gathering techniques (i.e., employee interviews and examinations of organizational documents), this study examines the ways in which Ganahl Lumber has responded to these concerns. Specifically, this study identifies whom Ganahl Lumber employees perceive to be their most important audiences and focuses on the different communication strategies that the com pany is using to influence these audiences. Conclusions indicate that, although the company is attempting to alleviate the problems it faces by sending direct persuasive messages, and by presenting a positive image of itself to its employees and customers, little is being done to influence the companys surrounding community. To explain these results, the concepts of egocentric organizations (Morgan, 1986) and strong cultures (e.g., Bullis & Tompkins, 1989) are employed.

EMPATHY AND GENERALIZED RECIPROCITY IN COMPLIANCE WITH REQUESTS FOR HELP

This study examined empathy and reciprocity as explanations for why people comply with requests for help. Participants (35 male and 62 female) imagined being asked for money by a person who had locked keys in a car and then reported how likely they would be to comply with such a request, whether they had previously locked their keys in their car (empathy), and, if so, whether they had been helped (reciprocity). In support of the explanation based on empathy, people who reported previously locking their keys in their cars indicated being more likely to comply.

Beauty and Believability in Sexual Harassment Cases: Does Physical Attractiveness Affect Perceptions of Veracity and the Likelihood of Being Harassed?

This study explored whether a female students level of attractiveness affects the degree to which she is believed when making a claim of sexual harassment, and whether attractiveness is related to perceptions of how likely it is that she will be sexually harassed. Participants viewed one of three photographs of a female model who was made to appear a) unattractive, b) attractive and pristine, or c) attractive but not pristine. Afterwards they read a case file in which the photographed model claimed to have been sexually harassed by one of her professors. Finally, participants rated the photographed models veracity and their perceptions regarding how likely it was that the model would be sexually harassed. Results indicated that when she was perceived as unattractive, the model was rated as more deceptive and less likely to be harassed than when she was perceived as attractive, regardless of whether she was perceived to be pristine or not. These results and their implications are discussed.

Intensity and color of language in attitude change and emotion

This study examined whether messages using or not using emotionally intense language combined with certain colors, i.e., red, white, or blue, to effect attitude change. Emotionally intense messages were more positively associated with attitude change than were those with low emotional intensity, but no interaction effects or main effects for color were found.

Handicapped or "Handi-Capable"?: The Effects of Language about Persons with Disabilities on Perceptions of Source Credibility and Persuasiveness

This study examined how four types of language about people with disabilities affected perceptions of communicators’ credibility and persuasiveness. Students read scenarios in which a communicator depicted people with disabilities as heroic, disabled, normal, or pathetic. Students then rated communicators credibility and persuasiveness. Results indicated that communicators describing people with disabilities as pathetic were perceived to be less trustworthy and competent than the other three communicators, less sociable than the communicator who depicted people as heroic, and less persuasive than communicators who depicted people as heroic and disabled.