SOCIAL ANIMAL - ATTITUDES, KEY STUDIES, TERMS/ THEORIES

what is the cognitive dissonance theory?
which kinds of inconsistencies are most likely/ least likely to produce dissonance?

• stress or guilt that people face when a person holds conflicting beliefs, attitudes or values , when their behavior contradicts these

• high dissonance

  • self-concept threats - behaviors that clash with one’s core identity (an honest person lying)

  • effort justification - working hard to achieve a goal that turns out to be disappointing, causing social discomfort

• low

  • low self relevance - contradictions involving topics one doesn’t care about

what is the self- perception theory?

how does it differ from cognitive dissonance theory?

• suggests that individuals infer their own attitudes and emotions by observing their own behavior and the context in which it occurs

• This is different because

  • CDT - attitude change through DISCOMFORT resulting from ideals, beliefs, and attitudes

  • SPT - attitudes being perceived through our own actions

festinger and carlsmith: cognitive dissonance experiment

• ppl experiencing cognitive dissonance will change their attitudes to justify their actions, particularly when they have insufficient external justification.

balance theory

• Individuals strive for cognitive consistency and harmony in their attitudes, beliefs, and relationships

• People want psychological equilibrium

effort justification

• individuals ascribe higher value to an outcome they put significant effort , time or pain on achieving, even if the results is not that good

self- affirmation

• individuals are motivated to maintain self integrity — through good moral and concepts

system justification theory

ppl are psychologically motivated to defend and justify the existing social economic and political status quo , even when it harms them

terror management theory

• human behavior is driven by fear of mortality (death)