The effects of grammatical structure and feelings of power on risk behavior prevention
Tannenbaum, Melanie
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/29777
Description
Title
The effects of grammatical structure and feelings of power on risk behavior prevention
Author(s)
Tannenbaum, Melanie
Issue Date
2012-02-06T20:16:00Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Albarracin, Dolores
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Risk behavior
persuasion
power
syntax
Abstract
The strategic use of questions and assertions within an interpersonal interaction can indicate and alter the relative power levels of each dyad member. The current research examined the effect of grammatical category (question vs. assertion) on the outcomes of an interaction in which one member is designated to help the other change a risky behavior. In two studies, participants were primed to feel powerful or powerless via a writing task and then matched by assigned power condition to act as the provider (powerful) or recipient (powerless) of help regarding binge drinking. Study 1 established that powerful subjects express stronger intentions to engage in risky behavior when they make statements, but powerless subjects intend to act riskiest when they ask questions. Study 2 tested the hypothesis that questions are particularly risky for powerless participants because they encourage biased recall, which simultaneously influences perceived subjective norms.
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