Attitudes and Behaviors
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According to research, which of the following scenarios is LEAST likely to result in an attitude predicting a behavior?

  • An individual is keenly aware and frequently reminded of their attitude.
  • An individual's moral principles strongly dictate a specific course of action, regardless of personal preference.
  • An individual holds a general attitude about environmentalism but is asked to recycle a specific item. (correct)
  • An individual is in a private setting with no fear of external judgment.

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'saying becomes believing'?

  • A person consistently advocating for a cause they deeply believe in.
  • A customer service representative genuinely internalizing the company's values after extensive training.
  • A social media influencer promoting products they personally use and endorse.
  • A politician giving a passionate speech about a policy they initially opposed but now publicly support. (correct)

Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of the relationship between implicit and explicit attitudes?

  • Explicit attitudes automatically determine implicit attitudes.
  • Implicit and explicit attitudes are always consistent with each other.
  • Implicit attitudes are better predictors of behavior than explicit attitudes.
  • Explicit attitudes are conscious beliefs, while implicit attitudes operate at an unconscious level. (correct)

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates the concept of moral hypocrisy?

<p>An individual donates a small amount to charity to appear generous but avoids larger contributions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A person who joins a new workplace may start dressing and behaving like their colleagues. Which psychological concept BEST explains this phenomenon?

<p>Role-playing. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do feelings, behavioral tendencies, and thoughts relate to attitudes?

<p>They are the three dimensions (ABC) that make up the attitude-behavior complex. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary implication of the idea that 'we are good at finding reasons for what we do, but bad at doing things we have reason to do?'

<p>Behavior often precedes and influences attitudes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An individual initially expresses disinterest in volunteering for a community project. However, after being subtly persuaded by friends, they agree to help out for a few hours. Over time, they become increasingly enthusiastic about the project and take on more responsibilities. Which concept best explains this change in attitude?

<p>Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the 'foot-in-the-door' technique, how does initially requesting a small favor increase compliance with a larger request?

<p>Agreeing to a small request leads the individual to align their attitude with the idea that the cause is justified, increasing the likelihood of agreeing to a larger request. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the 'lowball technique', why do individuals often continue to comply even after the initial incentive is removed or the cost is raised?

<p>Individuals have already initiated the behavior and feel a sense of commitment, making it difficult to withdraw. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective strategy for resisting compliance techniques like 'foot-in-the-door' and 'lowball'?

<p>Delaying commitment and recognizing that changing your mind does not reflect negatively on your character. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does performing immoral actions against someone you like affect your attitude toward them?

<p>It leads to disliking them as a way to justify the immoral action. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are mild deterrents often more effective than severe punishments in promoting long-term internalized moral beliefs?

<p>Mild deterrents force individuals to internalize the belief to justify their compliance, while severe punishments may be attributed to external forces. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to self-justification theory, why do individuals sometimes change their attitudes to match their behavior?

<p>To avoid feeling uncomfortable when their attitudes and behaviors are inconsistent. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the theory of cognitive dissonance, what is the typical outcome when someone's behavior contradicts their previously held attitude?

<p>Either the behavior is reversed, or the attitude is altered to align with the behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do individuals typically reduce cognitive dissonance when faced with a difficult decision after they have made their choice?

<p>By emphasizing the positive aspects of their chosen option and downplaying the positive aspects of the rejected option. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Attitude (ABC)

Favorable or unfavorable evaluations toward something, encompassing feelings (Affect), behavioral tendencies, and thoughts (Cognition).

Moral Hypocrisy

Acting contrary to our expressed attitudes when there's a cost to behaving consistently.

Attitude-Behavior Link

Attitudes are more likely to predict behavior when social influences are minimal and the attitude is specific, powerful, and immediate.

Implicit Attitudes

Attitudes that operate at an unconscious level.

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Implicit Association Test (IAT)

A test that reveals implicit attitudes by measuring how quickly people associate concepts.

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Role Playing

Adopting the behaviors and beliefs associated with a particular social position.

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Saying Becomes Believing

The act of adjusting one's message to please an audience, eventually leading to internal belief in the adjusted message.

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Justification of Roles

We justify our actions after the fact.

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"Foot-in-the-Door" Technique

Getting someone to agree to a small request first, making them more likely to agree to a larger request later.

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The "Lowball" Technique

Attracting someone with a low-cost option, then removing the incentive or raising the cost after they agree.

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Countering Influence

Postpone commitment to avoid pressure. Take time before agreeing to any offer or request.

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Escalation of Immorality

Small immoral acts can lead to bigger ones, and harming someone can decrease liking for them.

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Internalized Morality

Internalizing moral stances leads to consistent behavior. Mild deterrents encourage internalized beliefs.

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Legislating Morality

Behavior change influencing beliefs and attitudes, like laws leading to shifts in public opinion.

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Cognitive Dissonance

The discomfort felt when holding conflicting beliefs, often resolved by changing one to match behavior.

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Resolving Dissonance

Avoiding information that contradicts our beliefs and seeking justifications for our actions, even misguided ones.

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Study Notes

  • Smoking rates are decreasing across the country.
  • This is possibly due to increased awareness of health risks or increased hassle from smoking bans, taxes, and public disapproval.

Attitudes and Behaviors

  • Attitudes may or may not dictate actions, and actions may dictate attitudes
  • People tend to create justifications for their actions but struggle to act according to reasons.

Attitudes Defined

  • Attitudes represent favorable or unfavorable evaluations of something.
  • The attitude-behavior complex has three dimensions, known as ABC: Affect (feelings), Behavioral tendency, and Cognition (thoughts).
  • Prejudice is an example of an attitude, encompassing cognition (stereotypes), affect (prejudicial dislike), and behavior (discrimination).

Attitudes Predicting Behavior

  • Attitudes do not reliably predict behavior.
  • Moral hypocrisy occurs when acting in accordance with attitudes is costly.
  • Behavior cannot be reliably changed by only changing attitudes.
  • Attitudes are more likely to predict behavior when social or situational influences are minimal.
  • Attitudes are more predictive when the attitude is very specific to the behavior and when attitudes are immediate and powerful.

Implicit Attitudes

  • Implicit attitudes are those individuals may be unaware they have, and can conflict with explicit attitudes.
  • For example, someone might be explicitly against racism while holding ingrained, implicit racist attitudes.
  • Implicit attitudes are linked to the amygdala, which governs emotional reactions.
  • The Implicit Association Test (IAT) can reveal implicit attitudes.
  • The IAT and the concept of implicit attitudes are subjects of controversy.

Behavior Influencing Attitudes

  • Actions often precede the reasons given for them.
  • People feel compelled to fulfill their social roles.
  • Social roles are justified after the fact.
  • Not everyone adopts social roles, and power-based roles are particularly dangerous and seductive.
  • People frequently modify statements to please an audience, which then shapes their beliefs.
  • Attitudes can be manipulated by gaining agreement on something.

The Foot-in-the-Door Technique

  • Securing a small request initially increases the likelihood of a person granting a larger favor later.
  • Completing the small request can make the person think your larger cause is just.

The Lowball Technique

  • A person may be lured in with a low-cost option or incentive which is then removed or increased.
  • Compliance continues because the behavior has been initiated.
  • It is best to avoid committing on the spot
  • Even with the intent to agree, postpone acting.

Escalating Immorality

  • Committing immoral acts can be encouraged by incrementally building up to them.
  • Manipulating liking can be achieved this way also.
  • Doing something bad to someone liked leads to disliking them.
  • The more harm, the easier it becomes to inflict more.
  • Internalizing a moral stance tends to be lasting.

The Impact of Consequences

  • Mild deterrents are more effective than severe ones because they compel internalization of beliefs.
  • Doing kind deeds for people also increases liking.
  • Examples of legislating morality include smoking bans, forced desegregation, court-ordered gay marriage, and enforced speed limits.
  • It is possible to change an attitude through enforced behavior

Theories of Attitudes

  • Three major theories of attitudes exist.
  • Self-presentation theory involves trying to remain consistent, even when illogical.
  • Self-justification theory describes matching attitudes to behavior to avoid discomfort.

Cognitive Dissonance

  • Holding two conflicting cognitions causes discomfort.
  • Cognitive dissonance is relevant when a behavior goes against a previous attitude.
  • Cognitive dissonance argues that attitude is more likely to change than the behaviour itself.

Cognitive Dissonance Strategies

  • Strategies to reduce it included selective exposure (avoiding attitude-inconsistent information).
  • Justifications are changed after original ones prove misguided.

Decision-Making & Dissonance

  • Tough decisions result in cognitive dissonance.
  • After making a choice, the dissonance is lessened by reinforcing the decision.
  • Self-perception theory argues people don't know themselves well and judge themselves on available evidence.

Overjustification

  • Avoid providing unnecessary rewards for enjoyable activities.
  • This can undermine intrinsic motivation.

Summary

  • Behavior and attitudes have a complex and difficult relationship.
  • Repeated behavior leads to attitude adoption.
  • Attitudes can be manipulated.
  • Attitudes are multi-faceted, and all dimensions must be addressed for true change.

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Description

Explore how attitudes and behaviors influence each other.People often justify actions rather than act according to reason. Attitudes, comprised of affect, behavior, and cognition, may not reliably predict behavior, as seen in moral hypocrisy.

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