Does it pay to avoid speaking straight about controversial issues? Impact of argumentative ambiguity on the perception of the speaker

Bibliographic Data

ID21696032
AuthorsPaweł Koniak (0000-0001-7795-8549, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University), Wojciech Cwalina (0000-0001-8866-4618, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University)
Year2022
Volume26
Issue1
Pages84-97
Publication date2022-02-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Communication Management (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1363-254X • E-ISSN: 1478-0852
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/jcom-11-2020-0154
OpenAlexW3198225961
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited29

Purpose The goal of the research was to check whether the sender communicating in an ambiguous manner can gain the benefits in three aspects: perception of his or her image, evoking agreement with issue stand and intention to support him or her in the election. Impact of ambiguous messages was compared with the impact of messages consistent or inconsistent with participants' opinions. Design/methodology/approach Two experiments were conducted. Participants were randomly divided into three groups and each of them was presented with (1) a message supporting or (2) opposing given proposition or (3) an ambiguous message not revealing the ultimate opinion of the sender. Participants' initial views on the issues were measured. In experiment 1 an expert message concerned the building of the nuclear power plant was presented. In experiment 2 it was a politician's message about introducing the guaranteed number of parliamentary seats for women. Findings The results suggest that a strategy of argumentative ambiguity applied by senders may be beneficial if the point is to avoid recipients' objections. However, the consequences of ambiguity for the evaluation of sender's credibility and voters' intentions can be seen to be negative. Originality/value This research was looking for the reconcile of the contradictory results of previous research, which may have their source in the various operationalization of ambiguity. It was focused at an argumentative ambiguity (i.e. presenting different points of view without declaring support for any of the options)

Advertising · Ambiguity · Argumentative · Business · Cognitive psychology · Communication source · Credibility · Epistemology · Operationalization · Originality · Perception · Political science · Proposition · Source credibility · Communication in Education and Healthcare · Computer Science · Discourse Analysis in Language Studies · Law · Psychology · Public Relations and Crisis Communication · Social Psychology

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