Assessing a Theory of Advice Outcomes: Influences of Message and Source Factors

• In Event: Am I Saying the Right Thing? Providing Social Support in Interpersonal Relationships

Abstract

Participants completed surveys on a recent instance of receiving advice. Results showed that while various source factors and message factors each had independent influence on advice outcomes, the effect of source factors was partially mediated by message factors. Message factors had a stronger impact on advice outcomes as problem seriousness increased. The results also showed different patterns of prediction across the dependent variables.

Authors

• Bo Feng, University of California, Davis

• Erina MacGeorge, Purdue University