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Speaking for Others: The Pros and Cons of Group Advocates using Collective Language
[journal article]
Abstract We examined how rhetorical style affects evaluations of group advocates, and how these evaluations are moderated by group identification. University students were given a letter to the editor defending student welfare. The argument was either constructed ... view more
We examined how rhetorical style affects evaluations of group advocates, and how these evaluations are moderated by group identification. University students were given a letter to the editor defending student welfare. The argument was either constructed using personal language (‘I believe’) or collective language (‘we believe’). Furthermore, the letter was either attributed to an official advocate (president of the student union) or an unofficial advocate (a rank-and-file member of the student body). Consistent with the social identity perspective, participants who showed strong identification as a university student thought that the group would feel better represented by official advocates using collective rather than personal language. Low identifiers, however, did not rate the rhetorical styles differently on representativeness. Furthermore, low identifiers (but not high identifiers) rated official advocates as more likable and more effective when they used personal rather than collective language. The discussion focuses on the conflict low identifiers might feel between (a) needing to homogenize with other group members in order to maximize the influence and political effectiveness of their message at the collective level, and (b) protecting themselves against categorization threat.... view less
Free Keywords
categorization threat; collective action; group advocates; language and intergroup relations;
Document language
English
Publication Year
2005
Page/Pages
p. 245-257
Journal
Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 8 (2005) 3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430205053941
Status
Postprint; peer reviewed
Licence
PEER Licence Agreement (applicable only to documents from PEER project)