Discover the Phenomenon of the Sleeper Effect in Social Psychology

What is the sleeper effect in social psychology?

How does it affect the effectiveness of persuasive messages?

Answer:

The sleeper effect in social psychology refers to the phenomenon where a persuasive message from a less credible source gains effectiveness over time as the recipient forgets the source but remembers the message.

In social psychology, the sleeper effect asserts that a persuasive message delivered by a source of low credibility may become more effective as time passes. Initially, recipients of the message may disregard its content due to the untrustworthiness of the source. However, after a certain period, they might forget the source but remember and be influenced by the message content, leading to a delayed increase in the message's persuasiveness.

This phenomenon is widely recognized in the field and involves interactions between memory, attitudinal change, and source credibility. Psychological research provides evidence for the sleeper effect in persuasion, consolidating its place as a significant concept in understanding how people are influenced over time.