PSYC 2100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Cognitive Dissonance, Balance Theory, Takers

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2100
• Professor: Danay Novoa

Document Summary

There are times when our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours do not match demonstrating an inconsistency. When inconsistencies occur, people typically feel negative pressure and need to resolve it. People can share attitudes about attitude objects but sometimes there are inconsistencies (imbalance) Balance theory assess the balance of a relationship among its elements. Person a (person or p) who the target person is. The relationship is demonstrated in a triangle with a valance sing (positive/negative) between each relationship. P (you) and o (prof) this is denoted by the positive. P (you) and x (exam) you have a view of the exam all reflected as negative (wrote it) O (prof) and x (exam) making it and marking it negative. To determine if the relationship is balance multiply the sign. Positive (+) x positive (+) = positive. Positive (+) x negative (-) = negative (-) Negative (-) x negative (-) = positive (+)