Lab Activity 65: Examining Biased Argument

Chapter 13: Advanced Argument: Persuasive Techniques
Lab Activity 65: Examining Biased Argument

Objective:
To examine a textbook reading for biased argument.

Step 2: Refer to the college psychology textbook reading in the Lab Manual to answer the following questions.

6. What kind of propaganda is presented in paragraph 1?

a. glittering generalities

b. bandwagon

c. card stacking

d. transfer

7. The textbook authors' tone in the first paragraph is

a. biased because the authors reveal the content of a form of propaganda.

b. unbiased because the authors do not reveal the candidate's political party responsible for the ad.

3. What is the main idea of paragraph 2?

a. Subliminal messages are not effective means of persuasion.

b. In fact, many cognitive scientists take unconscious perception for granted and build theories around it.

c. Subliminal perception is possible, and the evidence exists for subliminal effects in a variety of experimental settings.

d. Well-designed subliminal messages are independently effective despite outside variables.

9. "In the real world, however, we are constantly faced with many competing sensory stimuli. Therefore, what grabs our attention depends on many variables, such as the importance, prominence, and interest of the stimulus. Should we fear mind control by advertisers? The answer is probably no, because advertisements have to compete with so many other stimuli. Can backward speech in rock songs be interpreted and understood? Again, the answer is no. Can tapes listened to while you are asleep help you learn Greek or Latin? Once more, the answer is no."—Lefton & Brannon, p. 146.

Which qualifier is used in paragraph 2?

a. therefore

b. however

c. probably

d. once

10. What is the central idea of the selection?

a. Subliminal advertising always works.

b. Subliminal advertising never works, so consumers should not be vigilant of such ploys.

c. The success of subliminal advertising depends on many variables and needs more study.

d. Subliminal advertising is unethical and should be banned from the media.