lecture 3 attitudes Flashcards
what is an attitude
evaluations of a person/object/idea formed automatically upon perception - van vary in strength and may be positive or negative
eval everything we encounter - attitudes constantly changing
the component model of attitudes
ABC model
affective response
behavioural response
cognition
based on principle of consistency - usually expect a persons behaviour to be consistent with their internally held attitudes
purpose of forming an attitude
knowledge
instrumental function
value expression
ego defence
knowledge purpose of forming an attitude
allow us to know of and navigate the world
organise knowledge into good/bad
instrumental function purpose of forming an attitude
allows to recognize when our behavior as a consequence of an attitude will lead to a pos or neg consequence
value expression purpose of forming an attitude
give us unique views on a variety of topics which become a fundamental part of how we view ourselves - express who we are and what we believe in
classical conditioning formation of an attitude
learnt to associate stimulus with certain feelings/behavioral responses - lead to pos or neg attitude based on response
operant conditioning formation of an attitude
positive or negative reinforcement due to a specific behavior in response to person/concept - determines the attitude formed towards person/concept
could result in prejudice - ie punishment for talking to other race
direct info/experience formation of an attitude
attitude formed based on information we receive about person/concept ie dietary recommendations
social learning formation of an attitude
attitudes form based on influence of those around us ie parents/friends
“saying is believing” formation of an attitude
link between saying things lots and soon believing the idea put forward
increase likelihood of forming attitude if said often
higgins and rhodes “saying is believing” study
ambiguous description of person then asked to focus on good about person or bad about person
recall of description bias based on prev exp
mere exposure effect formation of an attitude
zajonc 1968
tendency to view things more positively following repeated exposure to the attitude object - even when not consciously aware of having been exposed
moreland and beach exposure effect
4 woman in classroom over no of weeks - 100% attendance, 50% attendance etc
classmates rating of liking increase if better attendence
likert scale measure of attitude
scale of numbers agree to disagree
quick to administer and cheap
likert scale problems
less reliable - not accurate reflection of attitude and severity of rank differs per person
implicit measures of attitudes
measure physiological response to stimuli that implies an attitude
ie facial electromyograph measure face muscle activity