Final answer:
The Correct option is 3). The true statement about source credibility is that trustworthy and expert sources are more persuasive than less credible ones. Credibility can come from both the spokesperson and the company. Understanding the hierarchy of sources and the role of bias is crucial in evaluating source credibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Source Credibility in Persuasion
Regarding the statements about source credibility, the true statement in the context of source credibility is that speakers who are credible or have expertise on the topic and who are deemed trustworthy are more persuasive than less credible speakers. Features of a persuasive source include not just the credibility but also the attractiveness and authority of the speaker. The credibility of testimony is paramount in social epistemology, as we gauge a source's trustworthiness and expertise before deeming it reliable. Therefore, neither statement 1 nor statement 4 is correct, as they suggest that trustworthy and expert sources cannot be persuasive, which contradicts the well-established view that these attributes indeed enhance persuasiveness.
When considering the credibility of a spokesperson versus the credibility of a company, both can be influential depending on the context. For example, the use of famous actors and athletes can be based on their personal appeal, while the long-standing reputation of a company might build trust and lend credibility to its messages. It is essential to understand the hierarchy of sources and the role of bias when evaluating the persuasiveness and credibility of a source.