Date of Award

Summer 8-1-1990

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication

First Advisor

Joseph Tenerelli

Second Advisor

Donald J. Shields

Third Advisor

Dan Pyle Millar

Abstract

This study uses Q-methodology to describe lobbyists' and legislators' perceptions of persuasion strategies used in lobbying. Twenty lobbyists and legislators in the Indiana General Assembly participated in the study by sorting statements about lobbying strategies under three conditions of instruction. Lobbyists were asked to sort statements according to what they use to pass legislation, block legislation, and to describe their ideal strategies. Legislators were asked to sort statements according to which statements they encounter most when lobbyists were attempting to pass legislation, block legislation, and which strategies legislators would have lobbyists use ideally. The study found one factor accounted for most of the variance in sorting patterns, although a second factor indicated some deviation from this general pattern. Because lobbyists and legislators were evenly distributed between these two factors, this study concluded that the two parties agreed upon lobbying strategies that are used to block and pass legislation, as well as those that should be used. Applying Kenneth Burke's concept of identification, this study determined that lobbyists and legislators who participated in this study were able to identify with one another. The ability of these participants to identify with one another substantiates the success of lobbying in the Indiana General Assembly.

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