chapter 8: attitudes - textbook based

Attitude

A predisposition to respond to a particular object in a generally favorable or unfavorable way. It has behavioral and affective and cognitive aspects

Balance theory

A theory concerning the determinants of consistency in three-element cognitive systems

Cognitions

Elements of cognitive structure that include attitudes and beliefs and perceptions of behavior

Cognitive dissonance

A state of psychological tension induced by dissonant relationships between cognitive elements

Correspondence

The degree to which measures of attitude and behavior match in action and context and target and time

Prejudice

A strong like or dislike for members of a specific group

Primitive belief

A belief based on our own personal experience or from a credible authority

Situational constraint

An influence on behavior due to the likelihood that other persons will learn about that behavior and respond positively or negatively to it

Theory of cognitive dissonance

A theory concerning the sources and effects of inconsistency in cognitive systems with two or more elements

Attitude object

The person or group or issue or activity or thing an attitude is about

Affective evaluation

The feelings attached to an attitude including whether they are positive or negative and how strong they are

Behavioral predisposition

A tendency or intention to act toward the attitude object. It does not guarantee the action will happen

Affect-based attitude

An attitude driven mainly by feelings such as fear of snakes

Cognition-based attitude

An attitude driven mainly by beliefs or information about the object

Instrumental conditioning

Learning an attitude through rewards or unpleasant consequences associated with an object or behavior

Classical conditioning

Learning an attitude through repeated associations such as associating a product with happy experiences

Observational learning

Learning attitudes by watching other people

Implicit attitude

An automatic attitude that someone may not consciously recognize or report

Implicit Association Test or IAT

A computerized test that uses response times to assess associations between concepts

Vertical attitude structure

Specific attitudes depend on deeper and more fundamental beliefs

Horizontal attitude structure

Several different underlying beliefs support the same attitude

Consonant cognitions

Beliefs or attitudes or knowledge that fit together

Dissonant cognitions

Beliefs or attitudes or knowledge that conflict with one another

Irrelevant cognitions

Cognitive elements that have no meaningful relationship to one another

Postdecisional dissonance

Discomfort after choosing between alternatives because the chosen option has drawbacks and the rejected option has benefits

Counterattitudinal behavior

Acting in a way that conflicts with your attitude

Forced compliance

Pressure to comply with a request to perform counterattitudinal behavior

Maximizer

Someone who tries to make the best possible choice

Satisficer

Someone who accepts a choice that is good enough

Attitude accessibility

How easily an attitude comes to mind

Attitude activation

An attitude being triggered or brought into use

Affective–cognitive consistency

The degree to which your feelings and beliefs about an object agree

Reference group

A group whose views or approval you use as a guide when evaluating your own attitudes and behavior

What are the three components of attitudes?

Cognitive means beliefs. Affective means feelings. Behavioral means a tendency or intention to act

What is an example of the cognitive component of an attitude?

“Exercise improves health” expresses a belief

What is an example of the affective component of an attitude?

“I enjoy exercising” expresses a feeling

What is an example of the behavioral component of an attitude?

“I plan to exercise tomorrow” expresses an intention to act

What are three ways attitudes develop?

Instrumental conditioning through rewards and consequences. Classical conditioning through repeated associations. Observational learning through watching others

Why do attitudes persist?

They help people evaluate the world quickly and express identity and protect self-worth

Why is an attitude supported by several beliefs harder to change?

Removing one supporting belief leaves other supporting beliefs intact

Which relationship patterns are balanced according to balance theory?

All three relationships are positive or one relationship is positive and two are negative

Which relationship patterns are imbalanced according to balance theory?

Two relationships are positive and one is negative or all three relationships are negative

How can people reduce cognitive dissonance?

Change a belief or behavior. Emphasize supporting reasons. Downplay conflicting reasons

When is cognitive dissonance especially relevant?

When people feel committed and responsible for a voluntary choice

What happened in the $1 versus $20 experiment?

People paid $1 to describe a boring task as enjoyable changed their attitudes more than people paid $20

Why did the $1 group change their attitudes more?

The smaller payment provided less external justification for lying so they had more reason to convince themselves the task was enjoyable

When do attitudes predict behavior better?

When attitudes are accessible and strong and stable and based on direct experience and consistent across feelings and beliefs

What social factors can affect whether attitudes predict behavior?

Social pressure and reference groups can influence behavior

What are the four elements of correspondence?

Action and target and context and time

Why does correspondence improve prediction of behavior?

A specific attitude generally predicts a matching specific behavior better than a broad attitude does