Credibility

About: Credibility is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 13730 publications have been published within this topic receiving 331944 citations. The topic is also known as: believability & plausibility.

Consumer reactions to environmental labels for forest products: A preliminary look

Abstract: Currently, there are hundreds of environmentally certified forest product companies in the United States selling a diverse range of products, from lumber to paper towels. Often the forest product suppliers market their products under an eco-label; essentially, this is an environmental seal-of-approval given by a certifying organization. The widespread use of eco-labels suggests that they are perceived as an effective method of altering consumer behavior. However, empirical comparisons of the effectiveness of alternative eco-labeling programs are lacking. Here we provide a preliminary exploration into the types of environmental label information that consumers find useful, the label formats consumers prefer, and the reasons consumer label preferences may vary between products. Based on six focus group discussions held in three different U.S. locations, respondents indicated that environmental labeling of wood products could influence their purchasing decision, particularly on items such as paper for which they perceived a connection between high usage and environmental impact. A central issue seems to be the credibility of the certifying entity; respondents appear to place a higher level of credibility on labels that featured endorsements from relatively familiar entities. They also seem to prefer information presented in a standardized format so that they can compare the environmental features between products. In general, respondents also emphasized the need for education efforts to both publicize and inform consumers about how to use and interpret the eco-labels.

The Effects of Source Credibility and Performance Rating Discrepancy on Reactions to Multiple Raters1

Abstract: Using multiple feedback sources, the present study investigated the effects of source credibility and performance rating discrepancy on recipients' reactions. Individuals performed an ambiguous group task, rated their own performance on the task, and were later provided bogus feedback ostensibly from their peers and an expert rater. Individuals reacted toward the feedback and the source of the feedback as a function of the rating discrepancy and credibility of the feedback source. Generally, more credible sources and their feedback were evaluated more favorably. However, as predicted, this effect was overcome by performance rating discrepancy in the predicted conditions. The results show the importance of studying the interactive effects of message and source characteristics on individuals' reactions.

Culturally Sensitive AIDS Educational Videos for African American Audiences: Effects of Source, Message, Receiver, and Context

Abstract: The importance of using culturally sensitive educational materials in HIV-related interventions with racial and ethnic minority groups is widely recognized. However, little empirical research has been conducted to assess the relative effectiveness of different techniques for creating culturally sensitive AIDS educational videos. Two field experiments with three samples of African American adults (N = 174, 173, and 143) were conducted to assess how source characteristics (race of communicator), message characteristics (multicultural message vs. culturally specific message), and audience characteristics (racial distrust and AIDS-related distrust) influence proximate (perceptions of the message's credibility and attractiveness) and distal (AIDS-related attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions) output variables for AIDS educational videos. In Study 1, an AIDS video with a culturally specific message was rated as more credible, more attractive, and of higher quality than was a video with a multicultural message. The multicultural message was rated less favorably when delivered by a White announcer than when the announcer was Black. In Study 2, the same pattern was replicated with a second community sample and a campus-based sample. Study 2 also indicated that a multicultural message might be more effective if delivered in a culturally specific context, namely, after audience members watch a culturally specific video. Minimal changes were observed in distal outcome variables. It is argued that influencing proximate output variables is necessary, though not sufficient, for effecting long-term change in AIDS-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

Governance of Eco-Labels: Expert Opinion and Media Coverage

Abstract: “Eco-labels” are an increasingly important form of private regulation for sustainability in areas such as carbon emissions, water consumption, ethical sourcing, or organic produce. The growing interest and popularity of eco-labels has also been coupled with growing concerns about their credibility, in part because the standard-setting and conformity assessment practices that eco-labels adopt exhibit striking differences. In this paper, we assess which assurance practices contribute to eco-labels being perceived as better governed, in the eyes of experts as well as the media. Unlike previous studies, which are mostly conceptual, qualitative, or focused on one or few eco-labels, we study a large set of eco-labels, combining data from three different sources. Our findings suggest that experts and media are primarily concerned about “re-assurance” practices, looking for one or preferably multiple layers of “re-assurance” that independent parties are overseeing the eco-label and the firms certified under it.