PSY 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Cognitive Dissonance, Self-Perception Theory, Trait Theory
Document Summary
Has a very different approach to studying attitudes from psychoanalysis and cognitive therapy. Social psychology= the study of how an individual"s thoughts, feelings ,ad actions are affected by others. Major social influence on people is the creation of their attitudes. Attitudes= organized & enduring set of beliefs & feelings that pre-dispose us to behave in a certain way. People showed strong need to preserve attitudes, will reject evidence that contradicts their attitudes. Cognitive dissonance= discomfort generated by lack of consistency. Socialization= the way people are integrated into society by exposure to the actions and opinions of others therefore changes in attitudes come about through major changes in the social environment. Major changes in attitude occurs age 18-25 with college etc (strongly works against parental influence) Man at gas station is hostile angry person. Behavior was result of dispositions= deep seated consistent personality trait. Waitress ( who might be bad tempered) had been told by boss to be nice.