The purpose of this study was to identify variables which discriminate between winning and losing a debate as measured by judges' responses on semantic differential scales. The dependent variable was membership in either the group "wins" or "losses." The independent variables were measured by semantic differential scales related to Delivery, Argument, and Evidence. The analytical procedure used was discriminant function analysis. Such an analysis discriminates maximally between the win and loss groups. Four scale items emerged as discriminating for wins and losses in a debate. The most discriminating variable came from the Argument dimension, specifically the scale item Convincing-Unconvincing. The second most discriminating variable was from the Evidence dimension, that is Strong-Weak. The third discriminating variable was from the Delivery dimension, namely Pleasant-Unpleasant. The last significant variable was also from the Evidence dimension, specifically Valuable-Worthless. The final Lambda of .5314 and the canonical correlation of .6845 indicate that the discriminant function produced a fairly high degree of separation between the win and loss groups.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/185826 |
| Date | January 1983 |
| Creators | SMITH-DONALDSON, JACQUELINE JILL. |
| Contributors | Davis, James |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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