Title

Arguing Goals: An Initial Assessment of a New Measurement Instrument

Abstract

This manuscript presents two studies on arguing goals. In Study 1, participants (N = 147) provided open-ended descriptions of their goals while arguing with others. A content analysis of their answers revealed 10 arguing goals: mutual understanding, problem solving, conflict resolution, persuasion, dominance, personal expression, emotional release, standing up for oneself, enjoyment, and intellectual growth. In Study 2, participants (N = 303) rated statements measuring these goals. The convergent validity, reliability, and factor structure of the measures developed were examined. Results indicated good validity and reliability, as well as unidimensional factors, with strong loadings for indicators in each scale, suggesting a promising measurement for the assessment of goals in nonserial argumentative exchanges.

Department(s)

Communication

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/08934215.2016.1184695

Keywords

arguing goals, argumentation and culture, goals measure

Publication Date

2016

Journal Title

Communication Reports

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