Attitude - answerThe manner, disposition, feeling or position one holds with regard to a
person or thing; a tendency or orientation, especially of the mind
Can we directly observe attitudes? - answerNo
You can observe a behavior
We OPERATIONALIZE behavior, we cant see it
Cognitive dissonance is concerned with? - answerAttitude change
What is stimuli - answerTheories that deal with how our mind processes and/or
categorizes information
As information is taken in what happens to similar information - answerIt is grouped with
similar information to form a pattern that helps make it easier to understand and recall
the information later
Sometimes this information can be inconsistent with the pattern (attitude) we have
already created
Principles of consistency theories - answerThe mind operates as an intermediary
between stimulus and response
When people receive information (a stimulus) their minds organize it into a pattern with
other previously encountered stimuli. If the new stimuli doesnt fit the pattern / is
inconsistent then people will feel discomfort and will take steps to reduce the discomfort
Heider's Balance Theory - answerLooks at cognitive elements of relationships and the
attitudes/ evaluations that are attached to these relationships
Three components of Heider's Balance Theory - answerPerson or perceiver (P)
another person (O)
an issue (X)
Heider's Balance Theory basic premise is - answerthat people prefer a balanced
relationship between P,O, and X regardless of whether its positive or negatively
evaluated
,Cognitive dissonance focuses on the balance between - answerthe pieces of
information in our heads that come together to form our attitude about something
Who is the creator of cognitive dissonance - answerLeon Festinger
According to Leon Festinger cognitive dissonance is a feeling of - answerimbalance
where we do or sayor thnk things that dont fit with our established beliefs, opinions or
values and we become uncomfortable as a result
we are driven to eliminate dissonance (reduce)
EX: How women justify voting for trump after they hear what he said on tape "grab her
right in the pussy"- said they would vote for anyone but Hillary- Trump created cognitive
dissonance for Hillary supporters by bringing women who claimed assault against Bill
Clinton
Core principle of cognitive dissonance theory - answerinner motivation to eliminate
dissonance
EX: drinking and eating really badly on sat and sun being healthy to reestablish balance
3 types of cognitive relationships - answerconsonant
dissonant
irrelevant
Consonant relationship - answerour beliefs and behaviors coincide
EX: you want to live healthy so everything you do is a healthy behavior
Dissonant relationships - answerour beliefs do not fit with our behaviors
EX: talking about poor fan behavior, then at next game get drunk and yell swear words;
talking about treating people with respect, but then treating students with shortness
when they come for help
Irrelevant relationships - answerbeliefs and behaviors do not relate
EX: doesn't't make sense, want to reduce carbon footprint and painting house green (for
recycling) , lucky underwear to football game, if you don't wear we lose.....lucky
underwear to football game, if you don't wear it'll result in a loss
Four assumptions of Cognitive Dissonance Theory - answer1. Humans want
consistency between thoughts and beliefs
EX: smoking in spite of the knowledge that it causes cancer.
, 2. Psychological inconsistencies lead to dissonance (when beliefs/ behaviors don't fit
together)
EX: believing that preserving the earth for future generations is an important and worthy
cause yet also believing that it's okay to throw away plastic and cans rather than recycle
because, after all, not much difference can be made at a personal level would be
logically inconsistent.
EX: texting and driving and then yelling at someone when you see them texting and
driving
3. Dissonance is cognitively uncomfortable
4. We are psychologically driven to reduce dissonance
EX: physiological arousal (tension) from dissonance motivates people to take action to
avoid situations that create psychological inconsistencies or to make an effort maintain
balance between beliefs & attitudes and behaviors.
Magnitude of Dissonance - answerHow strong your feelings of dissonance are will
influence what you do to reduce those icky feelings you have about your friend
becoming a Gator
Three factors that influence magnitude dissonance - answer1. How important the
issue/event is
2. The dissonance ratio: the number of dissonant vs. consonant feelings you have about
an issue/event
3. The strength of reasoning used to justify the discrepancy between
dissonant/consonant feelings
Influence magnitude dissonance factor #1: How important the issue/event is - answer-
Affects the degree of dissonance felt
-If the source of dissonance is not a significant part of an individual's life, there will not
be as much dissonance as there would be if the source is of great personal significance
to that individual
Influence magnitude dissonance factor #2: The dissonance ratio - answer-A particular
situation may elicit both consonant and dissonant cognitions
-Dissonance ratio examines the balance between these cognitions
Influence magnitude dissonance factor #3: The strength of reasoning used to justify the
discrepancy between dissonant/consonant feelings - answerIf an individual has a series
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