3] Attitudes, behaviour and change (1) Flashcards
What is the link between attitudes and behaviour
Attitude influences behaviour from minimal external influences on our actions
How does attitudes predict spontaneous behaviours
Through accessible attitudes: The strength of association between an object and an evaluation of it
High and low attitude accessibility is…
1] High: The attitude comes to mind whenever you see or think about the attitude object.
Allowing us to better predict these behaviours.
2] Low: Your attitude comes to mind more slowly
What influences attitude accessibility
The degree of experience towards their behaviour with an attitude object.
Determining the likelihood of a spontaneous behaviour being consistent with an attitude.
How does attitudes predict deliberative behaviours: The theory of planned behaviour
When people can contemplate how they are going to behave the best predictor is their intention.
Determined by their specific behaviour, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control.
The theory of planned behaviour: Determinants
1] Specific attitudes: The more specific it is towards behaviour the better it can be predicted
2] Subjective norms: Other peoples opinions of their behaviour
3] Perceived behavioural control: Intentions are influenced by how easy a behaviour is to preform. E.g: Buying milk
Glassman & Albarracin (2006): Attitude formation is correlated stronger with future behaviour when….
1] Attitude is accessible
2] Attitudes are stable over time
3] People have direct experiences with the object
4] People frequently report their attitude
Boninger (1995) three psychological factors that allow attitudes to be held stronger are..
1] Directly affected their own self interests
2] Related to deeply held philosophical, political and religious values
3] Were of concern to friends, family and social in-groups
What is Festinger, 1957 cognitive dissonance theory
When two of our thoughts or beliefs are inconsistent or when our behaviour conflicts our attitudes we will feel tension (dissonance).
Strategies to reduce the discomfort of cognitive dissonance are..
1] Change our behaviour to be consist with the thought
2] Change one of the dissonance thoughts to retore consistency
3] Add other thoughts that justify/reduce the important of one thought
4] Trivialise the inconsistency altogether, making it less important/relevant
What is the relation between the dissonance theory and attitude change
It can make predictions about how people make choices with conflicting behaviours and attitudes.
Worchel,1988 made three research paradigms effort justification, induced compliance and free choice.
Worchel, 1988: Effort justification
When inconsistency is experienced when a person makes a considerable effort to achieve a modest goal.
Worchel, 1988: Induced compliance
When inconsistency is experienced when a person is persuaded to behave in a way that is contary to an attitude
Worchel, 1988: Free choice
When choosing alternative courses of action, the pre-decision is marked by uncertainty and dissonance while the post-decision is relativly calm and confident
Ways to reduce cognitive dissonace..
1] Change attitude
2] Compartmentalise
3] Exposure to or recall of additional information
4] Behavioural chnage
5] Perceptual distortion
What is persuasion
Is the effort to change others attitudes through messages
What is the key aspects of persuasion
1] Involves a delibrate attempt to influence others
2] No coersion involved
3] Messages can be varbale and non verbal
4] Persuaion is symbloc, utilising words, sound and images
Aristotels 3 crtieria of persuasion
1] Ethos: Ethics (character and credibilty)
2] Pathos: Emotion (connection through communication)
3] Logos: Logic (factual arguments made)
