2018/10/27 by Nathan Walter, Riva Tukachinsky, Ayellet Pelled +2 · 53 citations
Arts and Humanities · Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Anger #Argument (complex analysis) #Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression #Media Influence and Health #Medicine #Meta-analysis #Persuasion #Political science #Politics #Psychology #Social Media and Politics #Social psychology
paper · doi:10.1093/joc/jqy054
published in Journal of Communication 69(1), 73-93 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 2018/10/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Despite the increasing use of anger in persuasive messaging, such as political ads and health campaigns, very little is known about when and how anger affects persuasion. Building on theoretical propositions derived from four theoretical models that have addressed the link between anger and persuasion, the current meta-analysis (k = 55, N = 6,805) finds a weak impact of anger on behavior (r = .15, p = .04) and nonsignificant effects on attitudes (r = −.03, p = .30) and intent (r = .06, p = .13). Yet a closer look reveals a more complicated reality, where positive effects are identified with the presence of strong arguments, relevant anger, and the inclusion of efficacy appeals. Further, the study identifies an interplay between emotional intensity and argument strength, such that argument strength plays an important role only at lower levels of anger. The study concludes by integrating the results and proposing three promising areas for future research into anger and persuasion.