Persuasion is necessary when
a) you anticipate that your audience will agree with your position.
b) your audience is skeptical about your idea.
c) audience attitudes match the objectives of your plan.
d) your message is especially attractive to the audience.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is b) your audience is skeptical about your idea.
Explanation:
Persuasion is the process of convincing others to accept your point of view or take a desired action. In situations where the audience is skeptical, persuasive communication becomes necessary to change their beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors.
Let’s break down why option b is correct:
- Skeptical Audience: When the audience is doubtful or unconvinced about your idea, persuasion plays a vital role. The goal here is to address their concerns, provide evidence, and present arguments that help shift their perspective. For example, if you are advocating for a new healthcare initiative, and your audience is unsure about its effectiveness, you would need to persuade them by presenting research, case studies, or testimonials to alleviate doubts and gain their trust.
Now let’s look at the other options:
- a) You anticipate that your audience will agree with your position: In this case, persuasion may not be needed because your audience is already inclined to agree with your message. Persuasion is more critical when there’s opposition or doubt.
- c) Audience attitudes match the objectives of your plan: When the audience already shares your views or goals, persuasion is unnecessary. You are in agreement, so there is no need to convince them of your position.
- d) Your message is especially attractive to the audience: If your message is already compelling, and the audience is interested or excited about it, persuasion becomes less about changing their minds and more about reinforcing their interest or action. In this scenario, persuasion is more of a final nudge than a major effort to convince them.
In summary, persuasion becomes necessary when there is skepticism or doubt, as it allows you to address concerns, present convincing arguments, and shift attitudes or behaviors in the direction of your plan.