The Dr. House Effect: Experts' Impoliteness Influences Persuasion

Teresa Garcia-Marques; Rita Silva; Filipe Loureiro; Ana Lapa

doi:10.1002/pchj.70081

Psych Journal ›› 2026, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (1) :e70081 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.70081

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The Dr. House Effect: Experts' Impoliteness Influences Persuasion

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Abstract

We examine whether polite or impolite speech affects experts' persuasiveness. Across three studies, experts using impolite language proved more persuasive than when polite (as portrayed by the Dr. House TV character) informing persuasion and politeness research.

Keywords

attitude change / Dr. House / expertise / persuasion / politeness

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Teresa Garcia-Marques, Rita Silva, Filipe Loureiro, Ana Lapa. The Dr. House Effect: Experts' Impoliteness Influences Persuasion. Psych Journal, 2026, 15(1): e70081 DOI:10.1002/pchj.70081

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