TY - JOUR AU - Anderson, W., Thomas AB - Abstract A fundamental principle of human communication is that source-receiver similarity promotes communication effectiveness. But do perceived source-receiver dissimilarities have instrumental value in enhancing the effectiveness of communication? This study demonstrates the application of a method for gauging the relationship between heterophily or source-receiver dissimilarity and communication effectiveness and for identifying relevant dimensions of homophily/heterophily in achieving effective communication. One hundred ninety-two Ss viewed three slides of widely-differing college males, to whom three pre-scaled neutral statements were randomly attributed. Measures were obtained of Ss ratings of themselves and these “sources” along twenty-one personal attributes, as well as their agreement (or disagreement) with the attributed statements. Perceived source-receiver distances varied across the three sources, as did the agreement measure of communication effectiveness. The moderately-distant source achieved the highest agreement, lending support to Everett M. Rogers'notion that optimal heterophily produces communication effectiveness. The pattern and directions of the perceived dimensions of interpersonal differences gave further understanding of the relative communication effectiveness of communication sources. References ANDERBERG , M. R. ( 1972 ) Cluster Analysis for Applications , Kirtland Air Force Base , New Mexico : Office of the Assistant for Study Support, Air Force Systems Command . Google Scholar Google Preview OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat COPAC ANDERSON , W. T. and M. I. ALPERT ( 1970 ) “ Informational Overkill: A Communications Crisis ,” Graduate School of Business , The University of Texas at Austin , Working Paper 71-7 (October). 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Google Scholar Google Preview OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat COPAC This content is only available as a PDF. © 1973 International Communication Association TI - Optimal Heterophily and Communication Effectiveness: Some Empirical Findings JF - Journal of Communication DO - 10.1111/j.1460-2466.1973.tb00952.x DA - 1973-09-01 UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/oxford-university-press/optimal-heterophily-and-communication-effectiveness-some-empirical-5XbXARrqtd SP - 328 EP - 343 VL - 23 IS - 3 DP - DeepDyve ER -