‘THE MODERATOR EFFECT OF PRIOR
KNOWLEDGE ON TYPE OF AD AND THE
CREDIBILITY OF THE MESSAGE’
Thesis defense
Stephanie Pereboom S2534991
Introduction (1/2)
› What was already known?
• Effects of humor
• Magnitude of prior knowledge → credibility
› What was not known?
• Valence of prior knowledge • Moderating effect
Introduction (2/2)
› “Does consumers’ prior knowledge (positively or negatively) impact the effect of the type of ad
(humorous or serious) upon the credibility of the ad’s message and does the latter increase purchase
Theory
› H1. Type of ad → Message credibility
› H2. Prior knowledge → Message credibility › H3. Prior knowledge → Type of ad & Message
credibility
Results
› Data inspection
› Sample description › Manipulation check › Hypotheses testing
1. Message credibility is higher for a serious ad compared to a humorous ad. Not supported 2. Message credibility is higher when people have positive prior knowledge compared to
negative prior knowledge.
Supported 3. Prior knowledge moderates the relation, such that when prior knowledge is positive (vs.
negative) the relation between a humorous ad and message credibility is positive (vs. negative).
Supported