8.3 Attitudes and Behavior

Affective, Behavioral, Cognitive

Three primary components of attitude.

Attitude

The expression of positive or negative feelings toward a person, thing, or scenario.

Affective

A primary component of an attitude that refers to the way a person feels toward something, it is the emotional component of attitude.

Behavioral

A primary component of attitude that refers to the way a person acts toward something.

Cognitive

A primary component of an attitude that is the way an individual thinks about something.

Functional Attitude Theory

Suggests that beliefs and attitudes are influential to various psychological functions.

Knowledge, Ego-Expressive, Adaptive, Ego-Defensive

Functions of attitudes in functional attitude theory.

Knowledge

Attitude function that is important in that it provides consistency and stability.

Ego-Expressive

Attitude function that allows us to communicate and solidify our self-identity.

Adaptive

Attitude function which is the idea that one will be accepted if they express socially acceptable attitudes.

Ego-Defense

Describes our attitudes if they protect our self-esteem or justify actions that we know are wrong.

Learning Theory

States that attitudes are developed through different forms of learning.

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Separates individuals on a continuum based on their processing of persuasive information.

Central Route Processing

Those who elaborate extensively and think deeply about information, scrutinize its meaning and make decisions based on analysis.

Peripheral Route Processing

Those who do not elaborate, focusing on superficial details.

Social Cognitive Theory

Postulates that people learn how to behave and shape attitudes based on observing others. It relies on three factors.

Behavioral Factors, Personal Factors, Environmental Factors

The three factors of social cognitive theory.

Bandura's Triadic Reciprocal Causation

Demonstrates how the three factors of social cognitive theory influence one another.