Can someone convince you to buy a new product within 30–60 seconds? Well, that seems to be the goal of average television commercials. You tend to spend a major part of your television viewing time in watching info-commercials that sometimes go on for more than half an hour. There are times when persuasion is unwanted or is detrimental to an individual such as purchasing sea monkeys that turn out to be just brine shrimp or buying a book that portends a cure for every ailment.
- What is the purpose behind commercials that use television as a medium? Provide a rationale for your answer. Based on your course readings and understanding of persuasion, what is the theoretical basis of these commercials? Support your answer with relevant examples.
- In your opinion, can individuals avoid or overcome unwanted persuasions? How? If you were asked to design a training seminar to teach individuals how to avoid unwanted persuasion, what details would you take into consideration and why?
Justify your answers with appropriate reasoning and research from your text and course readings. Comment on the postings of at least two peers and provide an analysis of each peer’s postings while also suggesting specific additions or clarifications for improving the discussion question response.
