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Journal of Language and Social Psychology
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The Effects of Hedges in Persuasive Arguments

A Nuanced Analysis of Language

Amanda M. Durik

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, adurik{at}niu.edu

M. Anne Britt

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

Rebecca Reynolds

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

Jennifer Storey

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

Drawing together research on persuasion and text comprehension, two experiments test the effects of hedge placement (Experiment 1) and hedge type (Experiment 2) on attitudes, source evaluations, and perceptions of argument strength. Participants read an editorial in support of implementing comprehensive exams at their university. Experiment 1 shows that hedges placed on data statements (and not interpretation statements) lead to negative perceptions of the policy, source, and argument. This is especially pronounced on source evaluations among individuals with more scientific training. Experiment 2 reveals that colloquial, but not professional, hedges placed on interpretation statements lead to more negative evaluations relative to no hedges. Data related to perceptions of the source are moderated by individual differences in scientific reasoning. This research suggests that hedges describing data statements and/or that use colloquial language can, but do not always, undermine persuasive attempts.

Key Words: persuasion • attitudes • hedges • qualifiers

This version was published on September 1, 2008

Journal of Language and Social Psychology, Vol. 27, No. 3, 217-234 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0261927X08317947
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