This study examined the effect of cigarette smoking on the perceptions of source credibility. A sample of smokers and nonsmokers were recruited (N = 272) and randomly assigned to view one of four versions of a photograph male with cigarette, female with cigarette, male without cigarette, and female without cigarette. Perceptions of the photographs were then recorded using a credibility scale Nonsmoking models were rated significantly higher than smokers in competency, character, and composure while smoking models received significantly higher marks than nonsmokers in extroversion.
References
1.
AltmanD. G.SlaterM. D.AlbrightC. L.MacCobyN. (1986) How an unhealthy product is sold: cigarette advertising in magazines, 1960–1985. Journal of Communication, 37, 95–106.
2.
DermerM. L.JacobsenE. (1986) Some potential negative consequences of cigarette smoking: marketing research in reverse. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 16, 702–725.
3.
GonzalesM.EdmonsonB. (1988) The smoking class. American Demographics, 10, 34–35, 58.
4.
McCroskeyJ. C.JensonT. A. (1975) Images of mass media news sources. Journal of Broadcasting, 19, 241–243.
5.
PatzerG. L. (1983) Source credibility as a function of physical attractiveness. Journal of Business Research, 11, 229–241.
6.
PolivyJ.HackettR.BycioP. (1979) The effect of perceived smoking status on attractiveness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 5, 401–404.
7.
ShorR. E.WilliamsD. C. (1978) Normative beliefs about tobacco smoking on campus in relation to an exposition of the viewpoint of the nonsmoker's rights movement. Journal of Psychology, 100, 260–274.
8.
WanzenriedJ. W.PowellF. C.FranksL. J. (1989) Perceptions of political competency and the impact of a televised debate. Psychological Reports, 64, 825–826.
