Researcher ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-2187-1118
Graduation Year
2022
Date of Submission
12-2021
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Reader 1
Craig Bowman
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
2021 Isabelle W Jia
Abstract
Social psychology has long been researching how source credibility influences persuasive communication. With the world transitioning into a society interested in digital consumption, communication, and connection, this paper serves as a literature review of how different characteristics of source credibility can aid influencer credibility through various modes of social media messaging. The examination of three source credibility characteristics: 1) expertise, 2) trustworthiness, and 3) likability showcase how social media influencers can establish credibility with their consumers and build further connections with them. The results underline the importance of source credibility in influencing consumer attitude change and behavior over continued exposure to credible social media content. Influencer credibility is found to strengthen the perceived trustworthiness, connectedness, and identification between influencers and consumers. Ultimately, the paper encourages further research into exploring influencer perceptions held by their consumers, affiliated brands, and comparatively across different social media platforms.
Recommended Citation
Jia, Isabelle, "Source Credibility and Persuasive Communication: Effects on Social Media Influencers, Influencer Marketing, and Consumer Attitude Change" (2022). CMC Senior Theses. 2881.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/2881
Included in
Marketing Commons, Social Media Commons, Social Psychology Commons
