A true authoritarian type
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John Donahue
Abstract
To convey authority in a document, people choose specific typefaces (or fonts). Studies find that repeating a message makes it more persuasive, and that different typefaces lead to different associations. Also, statements are more memorable when written in harder-to-read typefaces; yet more believable for easier-to-read ones. In each of the two present experiments, surveys measuring authoritarianism were written in various typefaces. The first experiment sought evaluations of groups such as the army and police. The second experiment included subject matters like illegal wiretapping by the F.B.I. The results suggested participants had more positive views for authoritarian groups and more likely supported morally questionable actions when the surveys were written in an easy-to-read typeface.
Abstract
To convey authority in a document, people choose specific typefaces (or fonts). Studies find that repeating a message makes it more persuasive, and that different typefaces lead to different associations. Also, statements are more memorable when written in harder-to-read typefaces; yet more believable for easier-to-read ones. In each of the two present experiments, surveys measuring authoritarianism were written in various typefaces. The first experiment sought evaluations of groups such as the army and police. The second experiment included subject matters like illegal wiretapping by the F.B.I. The results suggested participants had more positive views for authoritarian groups and more likely supported morally questionable actions when the surveys were written in an easy-to-read typeface.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- The expression of inequality in interaction. Power, dominance and status 1
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Part I. Focus on third persons
- Representing inequality in language 17
- Sexual network partners in Tanzania 49
- A “rape victim” by any other name 81
- Unveiling the phantom of the "Islamic takeover" 105
- Power eliciting elements at the semantic-pragmatic interface 143
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Part II. Focus on speaker/author
- Powerless language 165
- A true authoritarian type 193
- We and I , and you and them 213
- Language, normativity and power 239
- Subject index 265
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- The expression of inequality in interaction. Power, dominance and status 1
-
Part I. Focus on third persons
- Representing inequality in language 17
- Sexual network partners in Tanzania 49
- A “rape victim” by any other name 81
- Unveiling the phantom of the "Islamic takeover" 105
- Power eliciting elements at the semantic-pragmatic interface 143
-
Part II. Focus on speaker/author
- Powerless language 165
- A true authoritarian type 193
- We and I , and you and them 213
- Language, normativity and power 239
- Subject index 265
