Research has examined the ability of entertainment-education (E-E) programs to influence behavior across a variety of health and social issues. However, less is known about the underlying mechanisms that account for these effects. In keeping with the extended elaboration likelihood model (E-ELM) and the entertainment overcoming resistance model…

Reviews P. Brown and S. Levinson's theory of politeness and related compliance-gaining research. Conducts a study to test the above theory using the variables of gender, relationship intimacy, and power. Concludes that more polite tactics are used by females, persons in close relationships, and less powerful persons. (PD)

Pictorial humorous illustrations were found to have (1) no effects on information acquisition and on motivation, (2) positive effects on appeal, and (3) negative effects on persuasiveness. (PD)

Confirms the hypotheses that (1) males are expected to use more aggressive persuasive strategies and when they do not conform to such expectations, attitude change is inhibited; and (2) females are not expected to use such aggressive strategies and are penalized when they are the source of unexpectedly aggressive message strategies. (PD)