Participants in a Study by Axsom, Yates and Chaiken (1987)

Multiple Choice

Participants in a study by Axsom, Yates and Chaiken (1987) listened to a speech and then were asked whether they agreed with the arguments presented in the speech or not. While listening to the speech, half of the participants heard the audience applaud the speaker and half of the students heard mixed reaction (some cheers, some jeers) from the audience. In addition, some of the participants heard weak arguments and some heard strong. The results showed that:

A) When participants were motivated to pay attention, they were more likely to agree with the arguments when they heard the audience cheer during the speech.
B) When participants were not motivated to pay attention, they were more likely to agree when the speaker made weak arguments and they heard the audience cheer.
C) Regardless of motivation, participants were more likely to agree when the speaker made strong arguments as opposed to weak arguments.
D) Regardless of motivation, participants were more likely to agree with the arguments when they heard the audience cheer.