Psy-1005 Attitude

Attitude

A positive, negative, or mixed feeling or opinion about a person, object, or idea.

Cognitive Component

Involves thoughts and beliefs about the attitude object.

Affective Component

Involves feelings or emotions towards the attitude object.

Behavioral Component

Involves actions or behaviors towards the attitude object.

Mere Exposure Effect

The tendency to develop positive attitudes toward things simply because we are exposed to them repeatedly.

Evaluative Conditioning

A type of classical conditioning where positive or negative attitudes towards a neutral stimulus are developed because it is paired with a positive or negative stimulus.

Balance Theory

A theory suggesting that people strive for consistency in their attitudes and beliefs, changing attitudes to restore balance.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

A theory suggesting discomfort arises from inconsistencies between attitudes and behaviors, leading to attitude change to reduce discomfort.

Functions of Attitudes

Attitudes serve to help us organize knowledge, obtain rewards, protect self-esteem, and express values.

Factors Increasing Attitude-Behavior Consistency

Factors such as attitude strength, accessibility, specificity, and personal experience that increase the likelihood that attitudes will predict behavior.