Hillary Shulman
Ohio State University, Communication, Faculty Member
In this experiment (N = 650), we integrate ideas from the literatures on metacognition and self-perception to explain why the use of jargon negatively affects engagement with science topics. We offer empirical evidence that the presence... more
In this experiment (N = 650), we integrate ideas from the literatures on metacognition and self-perception to explain why the use of jargon negatively affects engagement with science topics. We offer empirical evidence that the presence of jargon disrupts people’s ability to fluently process scientific information, even when definitions for the jargon terms are provided. We find that jargon use affects individuals’ social identification with the science community and, in turn, affects self-reports of scientific interest and perceived understanding. Taken together, this work advances our knowledge about the broad effects of metacognition and offers implications for how the language of science may influence nonexpert audiences’ engagement with complex topics in ways beyond comprehension.
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In this experiment (N = 650), we examine the negative consequences of jargon on individuals' perceptions of emerging scientific technology and aim to explain these effects. We find that the presence of jargon impairs people's ability to... more
In this experiment (N = 650), we examine the negative consequences of jargon on individuals' perceptions of emerging scientific technology and aim to explain these effects. We find that the presence of jargon impairs people's ability to process scientific information, and that this impairment leads to greater motivated resistance to persuasion, increased risk perceptions, and lower support for technology adoption. These findings suggest that the use of jargon undermines efforts to inform and persuade the public through the cognitive mechanism of metacognition.
Persuasion research investigates how decisions regarding message content affect audience response. We argue here that this approach to message design can be improved if metacognitive experiences are considered. This prescriptive review... more
Persuasion research investigates how decisions regarding message content affect audience response. We argue here that this approach to message design can be improved if metacognitive experiences are considered. This prescriptive review aims to introduce metacognition to communication. To this end, we review literatures in social psychology and communication and provide arguments for how the inclusion of metacognitive cues can augment message effects. We then present over 50 different strategies for how to include metacognitive cues within message design and provide examples for ways metacognition can be incorporated into existing theory. We argue that this approach presents a considerable opportunity to advance theory, extend message design, increase explanatory power, and broaden the scope of outcomes affected by the message.
Three studies examined the role of language difficulty in public opinion questions. Guided by feelings-as-information theory (FIT; Schwarz 2011), the first study presents an experiment (N = 1,018) in which the language difficulty of... more
Three studies examined the role of language difficulty in public opinion questions. Guided by feelings-as-information theory (FIT; Schwarz 2011), the first study presents an experiment (N = 1,018) in which the language difficulty of public opinion questions was varied. Findings suggest that language difficulty affected metacognitive experiences, which in turn affected reports of political interest, political efficacy, don't know responding, and ideological constraint. Study 2 (N = 1,817) presents cross-sectional evidence from publicly available data that also indicates question-language difficulty influences don't know responding. Given these findings, study 3 (N = 8,090) presents a content analysis that reveals significant systematic variability in language difficulty within polling questions across 10 polling firms in 2016. Contextualizing these findings within a FIT framework, we contend that variability in language difficulty differentially and systematically affects participants' metacognitive experiences while responding to public opinion questions. Given that metacognitive experiences affect survey response, language difficulty ought to be more carefully considered when drafting opinion questions. To this end, the data presented in these studies can be used to aid question construction by providing numeric guidelines, using widely available measures that contextual-ize the relative difficulty of survey language. It is also recommended that items assessing metacognitive experiences be included in survey
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This experiment (N = 238) tested propositions from social identity theory alongside the intergroup contact hypothesis to examine whether having a political discussion with an in-group (politically similar) or out-group (politically... more
This experiment (N = 238) tested propositions from social identity theory alongside the intergroup contact hypothesis to examine whether having a political discussion with an in-group (politically similar) or out-group (politically different) member affects subsequent evaluations of these social groups. Although several experimental results provide strong support for the antisocial predictions proposed by social identity theory, ultimately it was found that having a political discussion with an out-group member led to more positive moral and affective evaluations of out-group members than having a discussion with an in-group member. This result is consistent with the contact hypothesis and supports the notion that political discussions across party lines can produce positive social outcomes.
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This experiment tested whether a communication frame could be developed to improve undergraduates' understanding of contemporary political issues. Specifically, a meta-cognitive equivalency frame (easy vs. difficult) was designed to test... more
This experiment tested whether a communication frame could be developed to improve undergraduates' understanding of contemporary political issues. Specifically, a meta-cognitive equivalency frame (easy vs. difficult) was designed to test whether framing and processing fluency affect constructs important to public opinion research. Consistent with expectations, those in the easy frame condition reported more confidence in their political knowledge, less ambivalent issue positions, and showed evidence of more ideological thinking than those in the difficult frame condition (N = 488). The results of this study imply that communication frames can be designed to improve peo-ple's ability to reason through complex ideas. Theoretical advancements to framing theory and feelings-as-information theory are offered and practical applications for this work are advanced.
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Guided by feelings-as-information theory, this experiment examined whether the difficulty of language in public opinion questions would influence reports of political interest and political efficacy. Results (N = 235) found that exposure... more
Guided by feelings-as-information theory, this experiment examined whether the difficulty of language in public opinion questions would influence reports of political interest and political efficacy. Results (N = 235) found that exposure to the easy language condition led to higher reports of political interest and efficacy than in the difficult language condition and that this effect was mediated by processing fluency. These findings proffer implications for the strategic use of language in political engagement and civic education initiatives. In a representative democracy, it is troublesome when representation disproportionately favors certain demographics (Schlozman, Verba, & Brady, 1997). Although the reasons for disproportionate engagement are complex, the goal of more equal representation can be a catalyst that fuels researchers to come up with strategies to connect those who feel disconnected from the political process. Accordingly, this research explores a strategy, derived from social psychology, to influence reports of political interest and political efficacy. The thesis advanced in this article is straightforward: If political issues are communicated in a way that makes the arguments easier to understand , people should report being knowledgeable about, and interested in, politics. To
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This research explores the relationship between campus political norms and students’ political participation. Prior research evinced that perceptions of social norms can be linked to behavior. This study examined whether this relationship... more
This research explores the relationship between campus political norms and students’ political participation. Prior research evinced that perceptions of social norms can be linked to behavior. This study examined whether this relationship replicates at the group-level by collecting data at several universities (k=39) where political norms vary without campaign intervention. Multilevel modeling revealed that perceptions of political norms (n=1,472) converged within universities. Moreover norms at the group-level were predictive of political behaviors at the individual-level. This research demonstrates the successful application of social norms to the political context, while substantiating the existence of political norms beyond the individual-level of analysis. This supports the continued use of political norms and privileges the role of context on political participation.
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Transcripts from radio broadcasts that aired in pre-, early-, and late-genocide Rwanda were content analyzed from a social identity theory perspective to examine whether language use was consistent with theoretical predictions. The data... more
Transcripts from radio broadcasts that aired in pre-, early-, and late-genocide Rwanda were content analyzed from a social identity theory perspective to examine whether language use was consistent with theoretical predictions. The data yielded
by these analyses (N = 59) are noteworthy because the broadcasters on this station were eventually charged with war crimes for inciting and endorsing the violence between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. The results from this study found that the transcripts contained language in support of theory such that the Tutsi out-group was increasingly dehumanized as the conflict escalated, the Tutsi were blamed for their fate—while the Hutu were presented as victims of the violence, and an overt prejudice that was initially directed at Tutsi rebel group grew to include all Tutsi people near the end of this conflict. These data provide compelling support for the
communication processes that arise within intergroup conflict situations and support the continued application of social identity theory to real-world situations.
by these analyses (N = 59) are noteworthy because the broadcasters on this station were eventually charged with war crimes for inciting and endorsing the violence between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. The results from this study found that the transcripts contained language in support of theory such that the Tutsi out-group was increasingly dehumanized as the conflict escalated, the Tutsi were blamed for their fate—while the Hutu were presented as victims of the violence, and an overt prejudice that was initially directed at Tutsi rebel group grew to include all Tutsi people near the end of this conflict. These data provide compelling support for the
communication processes that arise within intergroup conflict situations and support the continued application of social identity theory to real-world situations.
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This experiment examined the effect of testing venue (online vs. classroom) and test format (multiple choice, true/false, open-ended) on performance on a test of political knowledge. Political knowledge test scores were higher in the... more
This experiment examined the effect of testing venue (online vs. classroom) and test format (multiple choice, true/false, open-ended) on performance on a test of political knowledge. Political knowledge test scores were higher in the online open-ended condition than in the classroom open-ended condition, with no evidence of venue differences for the multiple-choice or true/false format. This pattern is consistent with self-deceptive enhancement motivations. Given the proliferation of online surveys in academic research, these data enhance our understanding of the impact of data collection procedures on the validity of measures of seminal communication constructs.
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This study tested the relationship between communication style and appraisals of a policy discussion as experienced by college students in three-person, ad-hoc groups. Groups decided details of a public policy proposal. After making this... more
This study tested the relationship between communication style and appraisals of a policy discussion as experienced by college students in three-person, ad-hoc groups. Groups decided details of a public policy proposal. After making this decision, members rated the cooperative and adversarial communication in their group's discussion and whether they gained knowledge and were satisfied with their group's decision. Cooperative communication positively predicted both knowledge gained and decision satisfaction and was a stronger, and more reliable, predictor of these outcomes than adversarial communication. We suggest that creating a cooperative goal structure within initial political discussions may promote cooperative communication and foster a positive political experience.
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This study examined the theoretical underpinnings of the mood by message quality interaction. Three hypotheses were presented as an explanation for the interaction: the lack of motivation hypothesis, the hedonic contingency hypothesis,... more
This study examined the theoretical underpinnings of the mood by message quality interaction. Three hypotheses were presented as an explanation for the interaction: the lack of motivation hypothesis, the hedonic contingency hypothesis, and the mood-as-a-resource hypothesis. A 2 (Mood: sadness or happiness) × 3 (Argument Strength: strong, moderate, or weak) × 2 (Involvement: high or low) × 2 (Hedonic Consequences: pro- or counter-attitudinal topic) independent groups design was employed. The data revealed the association between argument strength and persuasion was positive and stronger for those in negative moods than for those in positive moods. Furthermore, the results indicated that the relationship between argument strength and persuasion was positive and stronger for pro-attitudinal topics than for counter-attitudinal topics, but the data clearly demonstrated that argument quality was the best predictor of persuasion.
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Sender demeanor is an individual difference in the believability of message senders that is conceptually independent of actual honesty. Recent research suggests that sender demeanor may be the most influential source of variation in... more
Sender demeanor is an individual difference in the believability of message senders that is conceptually independent of actual honesty. Recent research suggests that sender demeanor may be the most influential source of variation in deception detection judgments. Sender demeanor was varied in five experiments (N= 30, 113, 182, 30, and 35) to create demeanor–veracity matched and demeanor–veracity mismatched conditions.
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Research Interests: Psychology, Cognitive Science, Health Psychology, Cognition, Social Comparison, and 24 moreHealth, Risk assessment, Social Perception, Cognitive Bias, Humans, Risk Perception, Perceived Risk, Virus, Female, Male, Michigan, Young Adult, Similarity, Risk factors, Middle Aged, Risk Factor, Adult, Sensitivity, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Health surveys, Risk Factors, Risk Assessment, People Living With HIV/AIDS, and attitude to health
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Abstract Social ostracism—being ignored or excluded—threatens needs for self-esteem, belongingness, control, and meaningful existence. In the conventional laboratory paradigms, a lone participant is ostracized by either confederates or... more
Abstract Social ostracism—being ignored or excluded—threatens needs for self-esteem, belongingness, control, and meaningful existence. In the conventional laboratory paradigms, a lone participant is ostracized by either confederates or imagined group members and then completes measures of threatened needs. This approach prohibits asking questions about the group dynamics involved in ostracism situations, such as conditions under which sources of ostracism choose to ignore targets and the ...