Author
Edward Schiappa
Other affiliations: Kansas State University, Purdue University
Bio: Edward Schiappa is an academic researcher from University of Minnesota. The author has contributed to research in topics: Rhetoric & Rhetorical question. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 34 publications receiving 1711 citations. Previous affiliations of Edward Schiappa include Kansas State University & Purdue University.
Papers
More filters
TL;DR: Tests of the underlying mechanisms of the Parasocial Contact Hypothesis were generally supported, suggesting that parasocial contact facilitates positive parasocial responses and changes in beliefs about the attributes of minority group categories.
Abstract: We propose a communication analogue to Allport's (1954) Contact Hypothesis called the Parasocial Contact Hypothesis (PCH). If people process mass-mediated parasocial interaction in a manner similar to interpersonal interaction, then the socially beneficial functions of intergroup contact may result from parasocial contact. We describe and test the PCH with respect to majority group members' level of prejudice in three studies, two involving parasocial contact with gay men (Six Feet Under and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) and one involving parasocial contact with comedian and male transvestite Eddie Izzard. In all three studies, parasocial contact was associated with lower levels of prejudice. Moreover, tests of the underlying mechanisms of PCH were generally supported, suggesting that parasocial contact facilitates positive parasocial responses and changes in beliefs about the attributes of minority group categories.
600 citations
TL;DR: Examination of the relationships among number and intimacy of gay social contacts, parasocial interaction, viewing frequency of Will & Grace, and scores on Herek's Attitudes Toward Gay Men and Lesbians scale found increased viewing frequency and parasocial contact were found to correlate with lower levels of sexual prejudice.
Abstract: Television has an opportunity to influence beliefs about groups with which individuals typically may have little direct social contact. This study describes a synthesis of the Contact Hypothesis and the concept of Parasocial Interaction to pose what we call the Parasocial Contact Hypothesis to test whether exposure to gay men on Will & Grace can influence attitudes toward gay men in general. Based on a study of 245 university students, this study examines the relationships among number and intimacy of gay social contacts, parasocial interaction, viewing frequency of Will & Grace, and scores on Herek's Attitudes Toward Gay Men and Lesbians scale. Increased viewing frequency and parasocial interaction were found to correlate with lower levels of sexual prejudice-a relationship that was most pronounced for those with the least amount of social contact with lesbians and gay men.
253 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1991
TL;DR: In this article, a study of Protagoras is presented, with a focus on the two-logoi fragment, the "stronger and weaker" logoi fragment, and the "human-measure" fragment.
Abstract: Why a study of Protagoras? -- Interpreting ancient fragments -- Toward an understanding of sophistic theories of rhetoric -- The two-logoi fragment -- The "stronger and weaker" logoi fragment -- The "human-measure" fragment -- The "impossible to contradict" fragment -- Protagoras and fifth-century education -- Protagoras "versus" Plato and Aristotle -- Protagoras' legacy to rhetorical theory.
143 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: Schiappa as discussed by the authors argued that definitional disputes should be treated less as philosophical questions of is and more as sociopolitical questions of ought, and argued that defining is a specialized and learned behavior, and therefore one that can be studied and improved.
Abstract: In "Defining Reality, "Edward Schiappa argues that definitional disputes should be treated less as philosophical questions of is " "and more as sociopolitical questions of ought. Instead of asking What is X? he advocates that definitions be considered as proposals for shared knowledge and institutional norms, as in What should count as X in context Y, given our needs and interests? Covering a broad scope of argument in rhetorical theory, as well as in legal, medical, scientific, and environmental debates, Schiappa shows the act of defining to be a specialized and learned behavior, and therefore one that can be studied and improved. In response to theories that deem discourse to be persuasive, the author asserts that all discourse is definitive discourse that contributes to our construction of a shared reality."Defining Reality "sheds light on our methods of creating common truths through language and argumentation and forces us to reconsider the contexts, limitations, and adaptability of our definitions. Hinging on a synthesis of arguments regarding the significance of definitional practices, the book is bolstered by a series of case studies of debates about rape, euthanasia, abortion, and political and environmental issues. These case studies ground Schiappa s concepts in reality and delineate the power of public discourse within legal contexts. Ranging widely among disciplines from philosophy and classical philology to constitutional law and cognitive psychology, this study substantially contributes to the scholarship of rhetoric and argumentation, particularly as they function in the realm of public discourse."
137 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1999
TL;DR: Schiappa argues that rhetorical theory did not originate with the Sophists in the fifth century BCE, but developed nearly a century later as mentioned in this paper, and argues that we must alter the way we read both the sophists and Aristotle and Plato.
Abstract: In this provocative new book, Edward Schiappa argues that rhetorical theory did not originate with the Sophists in the fifth century BCE, but developed nearly a century later Closely examining the terminology of early rhetorical history, Schiappa not only revises the way we understand that history but also contends we must alter the way we read both the Sophists and Aristotle and Plato
111 citations
Cited by
More filters
01 Sep 1989
TL;DR: We may not be able to make you love reading, but archaeology of knowledge will lead you to love reading starting from now as mentioned in this paper, and book is the window to open the new world.
Abstract: We may not be able to make you love reading, but archaeology of knowledge will lead you to love reading starting from now. Book is the window to open the new world. The world that you want is in the better stage and level. World will always guide you to even the prestige stage of the life. You know, this is some of how reading will give you the kindness. In this case, more books you read more knowledge you know, but it can mean also the bore is full.
5,075 citations
Book•
17 Nov 2003TL;DR: In this article, two of the leading figures in argumentation theory present a view of argumentation as a means of resolving differences of opinion by testing the acceptability of the disputed positions and propose a practical code of behaviour for discussants who want to resolve their differences in a reasonable way.
Abstract: In this book two of the leading figures in argumentation theory present a view of argumentation as a means of resolving differences of opinion by testing the acceptability of the disputed positions. Their model of a 'critical discussion' serves as a theoretical tool for analysing, evaluating and producing argumentative discourse. They develop a method for the reconstruction of argumentative discourse that takes into account all aspects that are relevant to a critical assessment. They also propose a practical code of behaviour for discussants who want to resolve their differences in a reasonable way. This is a major contribution to the study of argumentation and will be of particular value to professionals and graduate students in speech communication, informal logic, rhetoric, critical thinking, linguistics, and philosophy.
1,120 citations
TL;DR: Experimental evidence suggests that reading good fiction helps us to understand others, and results show that reading literary fiction temporarily enhances Theory of Mind (ToM), and suggests that ToM may be influenced by engagement with works of art.
Abstract: Understanding others’ mental states is a crucial skill that enables the complex social relationships that characterize human societies. Yet little research has investigated what fosters this skill, which is known as Theory of Mind (ToM), in adults. We present five experiments showing that reading literary fiction led to better performance on tests of affective ToM (experiments 1 to 5) and cognitive ToM (experiments 4 and 5) compared with reading nonfiction (experiments 1), popular fiction (experiments 2 to 5), or nothing at all (experiments 2 and 5). Specifically, these results show that reading literary fiction temporarily enhances ToM. More broadly, they suggest that ToM may be influenced by engagement with works of art.
899 citations
TL;DR: Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca's New Rhetoric and Toulmin's Model of Argumentation are discussed in this article, along with a discussion of fallacies, controversy, and discussion.
Abstract: Contents: Preface. Introduction. Part I: Historical Backgrounds. Analytic, Dialectic and Rhetoric. Analysis of Fallacies, Controversy, and Discussion. Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca's New Rhetoric. Toulmin's Model of Argumentation. Part II: Contemporary Developments. Informal Logic and Critical Thinking. Communication and Rhetoric. Fallacies and Formal Logic. Dialogue Logic and Formal Dialectics. Pragma-Dialectics and Critical Discussion. Language-Oriented Approaches to Argumentation. Other Significant Developments.
688 citations