Metacognitive Inoculation Reduces the Persuasiveness of Sarcastic Attack Messages

Abstract

This study examined the ability of metacognitive inoculation to confer resistance to sarcastic persuasive messages. We expected that sarcasm in an attack message would be more persuasive for inoculation and control treatments compared to an inoculation containing a forewarning of sarcasm’s psychological function. A 3 (inoculation: traditional, metacognitive, control) × 2 (attack: sarcastic, literal) experiment was conducted whereby participants were inoculated and then listened to a message advocating for college exit exams. Our prediction was supported, demonstrating that metacognitive inoculation about persuasive tactics, like sarcasm, can reduce the success of such strategies.