Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

The Sleeper Effect suggests that opinion change may occur:

1. Immediately after a conversation

2. Only after repeated exposure

3. At an indefinite time after a discussion

4. Only if the speaker is credible

The correct answer is: At an indefinite time after a discussion

The Sleeper Effect refers to a phenomenon in which individuals become more receptive to a persuasive message over time, particularly after an initial period in which the message may not have been fully accepted. This effect suggests that the impact of a message can increase after a considerable delay, which means individuals may change their opinions not immediately following exposure, but rather at a later, indefinite time after the discussion has taken place. This gradual change can occur because individuals initially may dismiss a message due to the lack of credibility of the source. However, as time goes by, the memory of the message itself becomes more prominent while the context of its source becomes less relevant, leading to a shift in attitudes toward the message. Thus, opinion change may occur at a time that is not directly linked to the initial conversation, hence supporting the validity of the choice indicating that change can occur at an indefinite time after a discussion.