After 15 years of research on group induced shifts in individual choice, two hypotheses, social comparison (involving image maintenance) and persuasive arguments (involving attitude change), have emerged as the leading explanatory contenders. This article criticizes the view held by Burnstein and his associates (EJ 128 727) which supports the…

Asks what social science has done and can do for the courts in school finance litigation. Considers a representative few of the recent attacks upon the larger fiscal structures of education, in particular the inter-district challenges such as "Serrano v. Priest" and the "Rodriquez" affair. (Author/RK)

Discusses an experimental study designed to determine if androgyny would mediate attitude change with males and females. (MH)

Analyzes how the manufacturer dealt with the Tylenol poisonings: the link between Tylenol and the poisoning was denied, its image as a safe product was bolstered, capsules were differentiated from other products, and as a result, sales recovered. Extends the applicability of apologia as a way to analyze other media campaigns. (SKC)

Examines how any utterance or activity can be opposed in order to better understand the origins of children's disputes. Shows that children analyze others' moves not only verbally but nonverbally as well. Thus, bodily action and presupposition are necessary components in the analysis of how arguments are started. (SED)

Replies to the previous article's review of arguments against the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). Considers the effects-of-evidence-on-attitudes argument unconvincing and explains why. (NKA)

Addresses the major errors and misconceptions perpetuated by Stiff and Boster's response to criticism of Stiff's 1986 article. Focuses on the major conceptual and methodological issues of Stiff's model. (NKA)

Investigates differences in writing styles between males and females who wrote persuasive request letters, sales letters, and collection letters in an undergraduate business communication class. Results indicate significant differences by letter but not by gender, with no significant interaction between letter and gender. (RAE)

Examines construct validity from the perspectives of phenomenology and ethnographic research, critical theory, the interpretive analytics of Foucault, and the deconstructive criticism of Derrida. Concludes that construct validation is a pragmatic and critical activity. (FMW)

Asserts that policy debate is declining, mainly because of incomprehensible argumentation and speaking. Claims that judges should intervene in the debate process to demand certain minimums of effective argument. Advocates the creation of a debate coach organization that would establish general norms for judging behavior. (MM)

Proposes a different theoretical approach to the concept of implicitness and makes some practical suggestions for teaching implicitness to students. (MS)

Claims that Malthus'"Essay on Population" is preeminently a rhetorical achievement because it (1) originated from controversy; (2) traced and dramatized the effects of a principle that, in Malthus's opinion, was long known but little understood by the public; and (3) drew its power from the evocation and conscious imitation of Newton's…

Examines the dimensionality of compliance-gaining message use (CGMU) ratings. Analyzes data from three studies, suggesting that the multidimensional solutions they present are spurious. Presents a unidimensional model which claims that CGMU is related nonlinearly to message choice. (JD)

Examines the rhetorical themes through which President Reagan has, relative to his recent predecessors, unified the nation behind his leadership. Discusses how Reagan interweaves familiar American myths, symbols, values, and beliefs so skillfully in his rhetoric that any criticism of him or his policies is initially construed as an attack on the…

Discusses how junk mail letters can be used to teach students about rhetorical choices and the process of writing. (SRT)