Moral Hypocrisy and Behavior Prediction

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Questions and Answers

What is an attitude?

A random behavior

An inherited trait

A favorable or unfavorable evaluative reaction toward something or someone (correct)

A social norm

How well did people's expressed attitudes predict their behaviors?

Attitudes hardly predicted varying behaviors (correct)

Attitudes strongly predicted behaviors in all instances

Attitudes always perfectly predicted behaviors

Attitudes had no link with behaviors

Why were social psychologists initially surprised with the connection between attitudes and actions?

Attitudes were found to strongly predict behaviors (correct)

There was no connection between attitudes and actions

Attitudes were completely unrelated to actions

Attitudes only moderately predicted behaviors

What was the relationship between student attitudes towards cheating and their actual behavior?

No relationship existed Signup and view all the answers

How were attitudes toward the church related to worship attendance?

There was no relationship between attitudes and attendance Signup and view all the answers

What did self-described racial attitudes provide little clue to in actual situations?

Behaviors in everyday racial interactions Signup and view all the answers

How can attitudes be made potent according to the text?

Through self-awareness Signup and view all the answers

What is the evidence supporting the assertion that behavior affects attitudes?

Searching for reasons to explain behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What social phenomenon involves people agreeing to a small request and later complying with a larger request?

Door-in-the-face phenomenon Signup and view all the answers

Which concept involves people beginning to believe in what they say when there is no external explanation for their words?

Saying-Becomes-Believing effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the process where an artificial role gradually transforms into a real part of a person's identity?

Role-playing adaptation Signup and view all the answers

In what situation do people perceive 'free will' as necessary according to the text?

'Foot-in-the-door' phenomenon Signup and view all the answers

What is moral hypocrisy?

Behaving immorally while appearing moral Signup and view all the answers

How do warnings about the dangers of smoking affect those who already smoke?

They have minimal impact Signup and view all the answers

What is the Principle of Aggregation in relation to attitudes predicting behavior?

It emphasizes the need to consider a person's average behavior rather than isolated acts Signup and view all the answers

How can social influences on behavior be minimized?

By measuring both explicit and implicit attitudes Signup and view all the answers

According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, what factors influence behavior prediction?

Intended behaviors and perceived self-efficacy and control Signup and view all the answers

When do attitudes best predict behavior according to the text?

When other influences on behavior are minimal Signup and view all the answers

What theory suggests that we express attitudes to appear consistent for strategic reasons?

Self-Presentation Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which theory describes the tension that arises when one is aware of two inconsistent cognitions?

Cognitive Dissonance Theory Signup and view all the answers

Why do we express attitudes that match our actions according to the text?

To gain social and material rewards Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to reducing dissonance by internally justifying behavior when external justification is insufficient?

Insufficient Justification Signup and view all the answers

What do individuals do to reduce discomfort according to Cognitive Dissonance Theory?

Justify their actions to themselves Signup and view all the answers

Which theory involves making inferences about one's beliefs based on observed behavior?

Self-Perception Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the Low-ball technique primarily used for?

Convincing people to agree to initial requests Signup and view all the answers

In what situation do people tend to justify evil behavior as right according to the text?

Wartime Signup and view all the answers

How can moral action affect moral thinking according to the text?

It leads to moral justification in peacetime Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of behavior can shape social consciousness according to the text?

Interracial behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which type of behavior is specifically mentioned as designed to lead to attitude change on a mass scale?

Pledging allegiance to the flag Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the theories mentioned in relation to the attitudes-follow-behavior phenomenon?

Explaining how behavior influences attitudes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Moral Hypocrisy and Attitudes

Moral hypocrisy occurs when individuals appear moral while avoiding the costs of being so.
Examples of moral hypocrisy include:
- Warning about the dangers of smoking but not changing one's behavior.
- Increasing public awareness about TV violence but still watching violent media.
- Participating in sex education programs about abstinence and condoms but not changing one's behavior.

Attitudes and Behavior

Attitudes do not always predict behavior.
Factors that influence the prediction of behavior from attitudes include:
- Social influences on what we say.
- Other influences on behavior.
- Specific attitudes about the behavior.
The Principle of Aggregation states that the effects of an attitude become more apparent when looking at a person's aggregate or average behavior.
The Theory of Planned Behavior suggests that knowing people's intended behaviors, and their perceived self-efficacy and control, can help predict behavior.

When Behavior Affects Attitudes

Behavior can affect attitudes in various situations, including:
- Evil and moral acts, where individuals tend to justify their behavior.
- Peacetime, where moral actions can lead to changes in moral thinking.
- Interracial and social behaviors, which can shape social consciousness.
- Political and social movements, which can legislate behavior and lead to attitude change.

Theories Explaining Attitudes and Behavior

Theories that help explain the attitude-follow-behavior phenomenon include:
- Self-Presentation Theory: we express attitudes that make us appear consistent for strategic reasons.
- Self-Justification Theory: we justify our actions to reduce cognitive dissonance.
- Self-Perception Theory: we make inferences about our attitudes based on our own behavior.

Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is the tension that arises when one is simultaneously aware of two inconsistent cognitions.
To reduce dissonance, individuals may:
- Justify their actions to themselves.
- Internally justify their behavior when external justification is insufficient.

Overjustification and Intrinsic Motivation

Overjustification occurs when external rewards or pressures reduce intrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic motivation is the motivation to engage in an activity for personal enjoyment or satisfaction.

Attitude Definition and ABC's

An attitude is a favorable or unfavorable evaluative reaction toward something or someone, often rooted in beliefs and exhibited in feelings and inclinations to act.
The ABC's of attitude are:
- Affect: the emotional component of an attitude.
- Behavior: the action component of an attitude.
- Cognition: the thought component of an attitude.

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Description

Explore the concept of moral hypocrisy and how individuals may appear moral while avoiding the costs of being so. Discover when attitudes predict behavior and the factors that influence this prediction. Examples include warnings about smoking, public awareness of TV violence, and sex education programs.