HPS204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Self-Perception Theory, Guttman Scale, Theory Of Reasoned Action
HPS204 WEEK 6
Attitudes
Provide two common definitions of the term ‘attitude’; Attitude can be defined two ways:
(1) A relatively enduring organisation of beliefs, feelings and behavioural tendencies
towards socially significant objects, groups, events or symbols; or
(2) A general feeling or evaluation-positive or negative-about some person, object, or issue.
Describe the three major components of an attitude and related alternative models of
attitude structure;
There are three models aiming to structure attitude: the one-component model (Thurstone:
an attitude consists of affect towards, or evaluation of the object; you like it or you don’t),
the two-component model (an attitude consists of a mental readiness to act. It also guides
evaluative responses), and the three-component model (an attitude consists of cognitive,
affective, and behavioural components. This threefold division has an ancient heritage,
stressing through, feeling, and action as basic to human experience). The three- component
model is criticised because it assumes a link between attitude and behaviour.
Outline some of the proposed functions of attitudes;
Attitudes are proposed to serve four main functions: knowledge (parallels with a
schema/stereotype in that we do not need to figure out from scratch how we should relate
to the subject in question), instrumentality (means to an end or goal), ego defence
(protecting one’s self esteem), and value expressiveness (allowing people to display those
values that uniquely identify and define them).
Discuss balance theory and outline the socio-cognitive model and information integration
theory;
Cognitive consistency theories are a group of attitude theories stressing that people try
to maintain internal consistency, order and agreement among their various cognitions.
Therefore, people will try to reduce dissonance between beliefs, behaviours, and attitudes,
in order to have a harmonious belief system.
Balance theory is a cognitive consistency theory. According to Heider, people prefer
attitudes that are consistent with each other, over those that are inconsistent. People
therefore try to maintain consistency between attitudes to, and relationships with other
people, and other environmental elements. For example: Peter appreciates opera, Olivia
appreciates opera, Peter likes Olivia; Peter likes soccer, Olivia enjoys Soccer, Peter dislikes
Olivia, are both examples of balanced triads. Peter likes Olivia, Peter loathes dancing, Olivia
loves dancing; Peter says Olivia is a snob, Peter votes labour, Olivia votes labour, are both
examples of unbalanced triads. In unbalanced triads, people may feel tense, and motivated
to restore balance.
The socio-cognitive model is an attitude theory highlighting an evaluative component.
Knowledge of an object is represented in memory along with a summary of how to appraise
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Describe the three major components of an attitude and related alternative models of attitude structure; It also guides evaluative responses), and the three-component model (an attitude consists of cognitive, affective, and behavioural components. This threefold division has an ancient heritage, stressing through, feeling, and action as basic to human experience). The three- component model is criticised because it assumes a link between attitude and behaviour. Outline some of the proposed functions of attitudes; Discuss balance theory and outline the socio-cognitive model and information integration theory; Cognitive consistency theories are a group of attitude theories stressing that people try to maintain internal consistency, order and agreement among their various cognitions. Therefore, people will try to reduce dissonance between beliefs, behaviours, and attitudes, in order to have a harmonious belief system. According to heider, people prefer attitudes that are consistent with each other, over those that are inconsistent.
