Values and Persuasion During the First Bush-Gore Presidential Debate

Appealing to values is an effective form of argumentation. In our analysis of the Bush-Gore debate, we found that values are fundamental in framing issues; their effectiveness is contingent on the issue context and the predisposition of the audience.­ Thus, merely constructing an appeal to values does not guarantee persuasiveness, as the appeal must be concrete in nature when attempting to move an audience to action. Such an appeal goes beyond creating a link between the value appeal and the issue, as the value appeal and the issue position must resonate with a defined audience. Our results indicate that most undecided voters who made up their minds as a result of the debate chose Gore, while a few chose Bush and some remained undecided. Those who chose Gore were clearly more egalitarian in their orientation than undecided voters who chose Bush or could not decide. Bush's use of individualism did not seem to persuade undecided voters, nor did it seem to have a detrimental impact on support for Gore. For the most part, Bush's support remained constant before and after the debate, at least among this particular audience.     

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY: A Basis for Juvenile Correctional Reform?

Cognitive developmental theory has been increasingly offered as on explanation for lawbreaking. The theory suggests that lawbreaking results from individuals not having sufficiently developed reasoning abilities to resolve moral dilemmas, specificially those involving illegal acts. This article reports on on original test of the association between reasoning and law-breaking and addresses shortcomings of prior research. The article concludes that although the theory has been recommended and used as a basis for program design, there is little evidence to suggest that reasoning is, indeed, related to lawbreaking. Since ideological appeal of the theory may result in its adoption in program settings, continued empirical testing of hy-potheses derived from the theory is of considerable importance.     

The Making of Social Policy in Israel: The Perceived Influence of Members of the 13th Israeli Knesset

This article reports the findings of a study that explored possible connections between the perceived influence and the background variables of members of the 13th Israeli Knesset (MKs). The study involved extensive interviews with members of the 13th Israeli Knesset (1992–1996) and with a group of policy makers. It also drew on archival and quantitative data concerning the background variables and activities of the MKs. The article includes a short overview of the Israeli political system and of the 13th Israeli Knesset and its composition. The research methodology is described in the beginning of the article. The perceived influence of the MKs and their background variables are then the article. The perceived influence of the MKs and their background variables are then presented. Subsequently, possible correlations between the MKs’background variables and their influence are explored. The article ends with a discussion and a presentation of conclusions.