Attitudes (dissonance)

Question 1

What was the original dissonance theory outline?

Answer 1

psychological inconsistency (attitude and behaviour clash) -> drive state aka dissonance (psychological discomfort, physiological discomfort) -> drive reduction (change attitude to match behaviour)

Question 2

What is the Ikea effect?

Answer 2

Increased value of object that you’ve made/put resources into

Question 3

What are the 2 reasons why dissonance theory was hard to replicate?

Answer 3

1. SE threat must cause psychological discomfort
2. need SE threatened enough to cause physiological discomfort (heightened arousal)

Question 4

What is Aronson’s SE threat causes psychological discomfort explanation?

Answer 4

When behaviour at odds at self concept, SE is harmed which causes psych discomfort

To restore SE change attitude to reduce discomfort (unless easier way to restore SE and reduce discomfort)

Question 5

What are 3 ways to restore SE after it’s been harmed without changing attitude?

Answer 5

1. make excuse - no choice
2. make justification - reason I had to do it
3. no harm done - no one was hurt

Question 6

What is a counter-attitudinal essay in experiments?

Answer 6

Get participant to write essay on topic they don’t agree with

Question 7

How can counter-attitudinal essays be manipulated to affect SE restoration?

Answer 7

1. excuse - convince participant they have a choice/are doing you favour
2. justification - convince them that it’s their job
3. no harm - convince them to write a strong essay

Question 8

Experiment finding for compensation and choice essays?

Answer 8

Only attitude change if not compensated (no justification) and no choice (no excuse)

Question 9

Experiment finding for harm done and compensation for essays

Answer 9

Only attitude change if not compensated (no justification) and undecided audience (harm done)

Question 10

Does it matter who you hurt experiment findings?

Answer 10

Only attitude change if confederate is convinced (harm done) and liked confederate

Question 11

Collectivists and CD dissonance experiment findings?

Answer 11

• Negative feedback did not make collectivists change CD ranking
• collectivists increase chosen CD ranking if selecting for a friend

Question 12

Manipulating arousal and essay writing experiment findings?

Answer 12

• sedative: no attitude change in high or low choice in essay topic
• adrenaline: lots of attitude change in high and low choice condition

Question 13

What is the updated dissonance theory outline?

Answer 13

psychological inconsistency (attitude and SELF CONCEPT clash) -> drive state aka dissonance (THREATENED SELF CONCEPT, HEIGHTENED AROUSAL) -> drive reduction (change attitude to match behaviour, RESTORE SELF CONCEPT)