Tipsters...
Just a quick comment on the recent thread.
I am currently teaching a class on persuasion and thus I cannot help but think the
old sleeper effect is appropriate to remind people of here.
There are many dangers in off the cuff racist remarks. The sleeper effect
suggests that others may incorporate these remarks into their belief systems later
because they have forgotten the original source. The old, I heard that somewhere so
it must be true.
Would a Tips subscriber be likely to believe something that was presented here on
the list after a period of time has gone by? Probably not.
But what of a professor who seems to give credence to a particularly racist idea
in class? Now I have no idea if Michael did this... But, I wonder if even
entertaining the possibility that there might be some credibility to a racist
stereotype would lead to acceptance among students in the long run? Students might
eventually come to accept that information...even if it was raised as speculation...as
credible. Simply because it came from an authority figure. Ye old peripheral route to
persuasion.
I always have to remind myself to check my sources before I repeat something in
class. Or if a student says something like " I heard that breast implants do not in
fact cause health problems." I might ask, where did you hear that? And try to
ascertain if it is credible. But I always try to dig up some info between classes to
try and avoid the spread of misinformation from my classroom. (Actually, a recent
study suggests that breast implants appear to be safe -- hate to be a DOW
shareholder).
As far as Michael's postings are concerned...maybe doing your homework before you push
that enter button would save you from being perceived as someone who you do not think
you are.
Hmmmm...it sounds like a nice go-no-go test of disinhibition. Clearly, Michael seems
to error on the go side...maybe he suffers from an abundance of GABA-receptors
(gamma-aminobutyric acid). I would hate to see what type of post would result after
the consumption of a nice 10 mg dose of valium! The enhancement of an already
abundant number of GABA receptors would result in a particular interesting set of
posts! :-)
Just a thought or two....
Mike Hulsizer (Disgruntled Sabres Fan)
Webster University
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
