Given below are two statements. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Statement I:When passive defence systems are encouraged, a defensive response will resist attitudinal change, if we apply the inoculation theory of communication.
Statement II:A strong dose of argument will strengthen the receiver's immune system.
ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct
BBoth Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
CStatement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect ✓ Correct
DStatement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Correct answer: (C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Explanation
The first statement is correct, as inoculation theory holds that encouraging passive defences produces a defensive response that resists attitude change.
The second statement is incorrect, because inoculation works through a weak or mild dose of counter-argument, not a strong one.
Like a vaccine, a small challenge builds resistance, so a strong dose would overwhelm rather than immunise.
Inoculation theory was developed by McGuire on the medical analogy of immunity.
Refuting a mild attack rehearses defences for a later stronger one.
This pre-exposure is what confers resistance to persuasion.
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