Attitudes and Measurement Scales in Psychiatry

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According to the tripartite model, what are the primary components of attitudes?

Emotions, cognitions, and past experiences.
Beliefs, values, and norms.
Intentions, actions, and results.
Affect, behavior, and cognition. (correct)

What distinguishes stronger-held attitudes from weaker ones?

Stronger attitudes are based on personal experience, whereas weaker attitudes are based on secondhand information.
Stronger attitudes are easily changed with new information, whereas weaker attitudes are resistant to change.
Stronger attitudes are more accessible in memory and more likely to influence behavior upon stimuli, while weaker attitudes are not easily recalled. (correct)
Stronger attitudes are more complex and nuanced, while weaker attitudes are simplistic.

What is the primary goal of using attitude measurement scales in the field of psychiatry?

To quantify and assess the intensity and direction of a person's feelings, thoughts, and behavioral predispositions towards people, groups, ideas, or objects. (correct)
To predict future behaviors of individuals in various social settings.
To categorize individuals into distinct personality types for treatment purposes.
To identify the genetic predispositions underlying specific mental disorders.

A researcher aims to utilize a method that provides a quantitative measure of attitude strength. Considering the information, which measurement scale would be most suitable?

Thurstone Scale (A) Signup and view all the answers

How might a poorly designed set of questions or slow reaction times most significantly undermine the accuracy of results obtained from a Thurstone scale?

By causing a 'set shifting' problem, where individuals struggle to adapt their responses and cause inaccurate results. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Compared to weaker attitudes, stronger attitudes are more likely to:

Be activated spontaneously in the presence of relevant stimuli to influence thoughts and behaviors. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the MOST accurate comparison of the tripartite model of attitudes and attitude measurement scales regarding their application in psychiatry?

The tripartite model helps in understanding the various dimensions of attitudes, while attitude measurement scales aid in quantifying these dimensions for diagnostic and treatment purposes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A psychiatrist is evaluating a patient who displays a marked discrepancy between their expressed beliefs and their actual behavior. How should the psychiatrist interpret this inconsistency in the context of the tripartite model of attitudes?

The psychiatrist should consider that the affective, behavioral, and cognitive components of the patient's attitude may be in conflict, influencing the expression of each component. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does understanding the accessibility and strength of attitudes inform therapeutic interventions in clinical psychology?

It allows therapists to target interventions towards strengthening positive attitudes and weakening maladaptive ones through cognitive and behavioral techniques. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In method of paired comparisons, what is the primary task of judges?

Selecting which statement appears more favorable in each pair. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Likert scale from the Thurstone scale?

The Likert scale allows respondents to indicate the degree of agreement with statements, where as the Thurstone scale presents statements with fixed values. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which response option is NOT typically found in a Likert scale?

Undecided (A) Signup and view all the answers

What primary advantage does a Likert scale offer researchers over simpler scales?

It offers a broader range of expression of attitudes from the respondent. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was Charles E. Osgood's primary contribution to research methodology?

Introducing the semantic differential technique. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three affective dimensions measured by the Semantic Differential technique?

Evaluation, Potency, Activity (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the type of data gathered using the Osgood Semantic Differential Scale?

Connotative meanings (D) Signup and view all the answers

What did the Semantic Differential technique seek to measure?

The connotative meaning of concepts. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do the Likert and Osgood Semantic Differential scales differ in their approach to measuring attitudes?

Likert scales measure agreement with statements, while Semantic Differential scales measure connotative meaning. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which research context aligns best with utilizing the Osgood Semantic Differential Scale?

Analyzing consumer perceptions of a brand's image. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the principles of cognitive dissonance, what is the primary action individuals undertake when experiencing psychological discomfort?

Striving to restore internal psychological consistency to alleviate the unpleasant state. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does focusing on a specific attitude or belief most directly influence a person's actions, according to the presented perspective?

It guides behaviour, aligning actions with internally held convictions and moral standards. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of 'cognitive consistency' in the relationship between attitudes and behaviour?

It helps maintain mental equilibrium by aligning actions and beliefs, reducing internal conflict. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the 'intention-behaviour gap', what is the primary factor that prevents attitudes from consistently predicting actual behaviours?

The failure of intentions to always translate into concrete actions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What core component does the 'Theory of Planned Behavior' introduce, beyond attitudes and subjective norms, to explain behavioural intention?

Perceived behavioural control, indicating the extent to which one feels capable of executing the behaviour. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the 'Health Belief Model', how is an individual's perception of risk typically biased, and what implications does this have for preventative behaviour?

Risk perception is overly optimistic, reducing the likelihood of adopting preventative behaviors. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary disadvantage of using Thurstone scales in attitude measurement?

The process of development is complex and time-consuming. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the method of equal-appearing intervals, what role do experts play in constructing a Thurstone scale?

Experts assign values to each statement, distributing them evenly across the attitude spectrum. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the core principle behind the method of successive intervals in constructing a Thurstone scale?

Dividing the attitude continuum into intervals and selecting statements representing each interval. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the Thurstone scale calculate participants' attitudes?

By averaging the numerical weights of the statements with which the participant agrees. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the format of questions in a Thurstone scale?

Statements with which respondents indicate agreement or disagreement. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the method of paired comparison from the method of equal-appearing intervals in Thurstone scale construction?

Paired comparison involves presenting statements in pairs for respondents to choose which one better reflects their attitude, while equal-appearing intervals involves assigning scale values to individual statements. (D) Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher aims to measure attitudes about a new renewable energy policy using a Thurstone scale, which initial step is most critical according to the equal-appearing intervals method?

Creating a large pool of statements reflecting a range of opinions on the policy. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Compared to Likert scales and Semantic Differential scales, where does the Thurstone scale stand in terms of complexity and ease of administration?

More complex and harder to administer than both Likert and Semantic Differential scales. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher wants to use a Thurstone scale to assess attitudes towards AI in healthcare but needs to ensure the scale reflects current expert opinions. Which modification to the traditional method of equal-appearing intervals would be most effective?

Continuously updating the expert panel to include professionals with recent experience in AI healthcare applications. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A survey participant is presented with a Thurstone scale to measure their attitude toward environmental conservation. They agree with statements that have scale values of 2.3, 4.5, and 6.7. According to Thurstone's method, what is their attitude score?

4.5 (Calculated as the average of 2.3, 4.5, and 6.7) (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does cognitive consistency primarily influence an individual's behavior and values?

It compels individuals to maintain alignment between their behaviors and values, prompting them to resolve any discrepancies to avoid psychological distress. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Osgood's Semantic Differential, which combination of scales would be most effective in assessing consumer perception of a new electric vehicle designed for urban commuting?

Evaluation: Safe to Dangerous; Potency: Strong to Weak; Activity: Fast to Slow (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best exemplifies the experience of cognitive dissonance?

An individual believes in the importance of healthy eating but frequently consumes fast food due to convenience. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely psychological response when an individual experiences a significant degree of cognitive inconsistency?

A feeling of tension and psychological discomfort, prompting a desire to restore congruence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How would you rate a brand that is environmentally conscious regarding Evaluation, Potency, and Activity?

Evaluation: Positive, Potency: Strong, Activity: Dynamic (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Osgood's EPA scales, how would a highly controversial political campaign be rated?

Evaluation: Mixed, Potency: Strong, Activity: Active (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor most significantly influences the degree of cognitive dissonance experienced by an individual?

The individual's capacity to rationalize conflicting beliefs and behaviors. (A) Signup and view all the answers

An individual who values honesty above all else makes a small, inconsequential lie to protect a friend's feelings. According to cognitive dissonance theory, what is the most likely immediate outcome?

The individual will rationalize the lie by convincing themselves that honesty is not always the best policy. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How might a marketing team leverage the principles of cognitive consistency to enhance brand loyalty?

By consistently aligning the brand's values and messaging with the target audience's beliefs. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A company launches a new product with innovative features but faces initial consumer resistance due to its high price point. Which of the following strategies would best address potential cognitive dissonance among potential buyers?

Emphasizing the long-term value and benefits of the product to justify the higher price. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Attitude

Feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and behavioral predispositions toward people, groups, ideas, or objects.

Influence of Attitudes

Attitudes influence how people act or behave in certain situations.