PSYCH 160 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Cognitive Dissonance, Safe Sex, Attitude Change
Document Summary
An attitude is a psychological tendency that"s expressed by evaluating an object with some degree or favor or disfavor. Cognitive: beliefs about positive + negative attributes of an object. Behavioral: positive and negative action exhibited in relation to the object. Inconsistency among components of attitudes e. g. positive cognitions, but negative a ect associated w dentists. Inconsistency among components of attitudes e. g. positive cognitions, but negative a ect associated w dentists e. g. positive a ect, but negative cognitions, associated w fried food. Mismatch in generality/speci city of attitudes + behavior e. g. prejudiced, negative attitudes towards muslims in general, but not. Muslim roommate e. g. positive attitude towards safe sex, but not toward purchasing condoms at the local drug store. Festinger"s cognitive dissonance theory: aversive drive state (e. g. thirst, hunger) caused by holding 2+ inconsistent cognitions (e. g. attitude-behavior discrepancies) Change relevant cognition (e. g. maybe smoking isn"t that bad . Iv: or reward for engaging in attitude-discrepant behavior (e. g. counter- attitudinal advocacy)
