6.7 - Key Terms
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Understanding Attitudes
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Let's start with the concept of 'attitudes'. How would we define an attitude in psychology?
I think it's like a person's opinion on something, right?
Great! Attitudes are indeed opinions or evaluations, but they are more structured. An attitude consists of three primary components: affective, cognitive, and behavioral. Can anyone tell me what each of these components involves?
The affective component is about feelings, right? Like how we feel about an attitude object?
Exactly! The affective component encompasses our emotional responses. Now, what about the cognitive component?
That's the part of our beliefs or thoughts about the object, isn't it?
Yes! And finally, the behavioral component refers to how we tend to act in relation to that attitude. Together, these components form the basis of our attitudes. Remember the acronym A-B-C: Affective, Behavioral, Cognitive.
Got it! A-B-C helps remember the components!
Excellent! Understanding attitudes is crucial because they influence our actions and interactions with others.
To summarize, we defined attitudes and identified their three components: affective, behavioral, and cognitive.
Prejudice and Discrimination
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Now let's delve into the terms 'prejudice' and 'discrimination'. Who can give me a quick definition of prejudice?
Prejudice is judging someone negatively based on their group membership?
Exactly! Prejudice is a preconceived negative attitude towards a group. What about discrimination?
That’s when someone behaves unfairly towards someone else because of their group, right?
Correct! Discrimination is the action stemming from prejudiced attitudes, leading to unfair treatment. Remember, while prejudice can exist without discrimination, they often reinforce each other.
So, a person can hold prejudiced views but not actively discriminate?
Yes! On the flip side, someone can discriminate without explicit prejudice due to societal norms. This is why understanding both terms is important.
In summary, we defined prejudice as a negative attitude towards a group and discrimination as the behaviors resulting from that attitude.
Attitude Formation
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Next, let's talk about how attitudes are formed. What do you think are some ways we learn our attitudes?
I guess we learn them from our experiences and from people around us?
Exactly! Attitudes can be learned through direct experience or indirect influences like family, media, and peers. We can categorize these learning processes into several mechanisms.
Like modeling and reinforcement?
Yes! We learn attitudes through modeling after observing others' behaviors and through rewards or punishments for certain behaviors. This can come from family, friends, or societal norms.
So, media can also shape our attitudes?
Absolutely! The media plays a powerful role in shaping attitudes by providing information and influencing beliefs. It's important to critically evaluate the information we absorb.
To summarize, we discussed multiple ways attitudes are formed, including direct experiences, modeling, reinforcement, and media influence.
Attitude Change
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Now, let’s discuss how attitudes can change. Does anyone have an idea of what can prompt an attitude change?
Maybe when we get new information that contradicts our beliefs?
Correct! When faced with conflicting beliefs, we experience cognitive dissonance, which motivates us to change our attitudes to restore harmony.
So, it's uncomfortable when our beliefs clash?
Exactly, that discomfort pushes us to adjust our beliefs or behaviors. What about social influences?
If someone we admire changes their opinion, we might change ours too.
Yes! The impact of role models or trusted sources can greatly influence our attitudes. Also, factors like the message's strength and emotional appeal play a crucial role.
In concluding this session, we reviewed how attitudes are subject to change through cognitive dissonance, social influences, and the nature of the information presented.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
Key terms such as attitudes, prejudice, and cognitive dissonance are defined in this section. It highlights the components, formation, and change of attitudes, along with their influence on behavior and social dynamics.
Detailed
In psychology, particularly social psychology, key terms serve as foundational elements that allow for a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and social interaction. This section discusses concepts like 'Attitudes,' which are defined as a state of mind involving evaluative reactions towards certain objects, individuals, or situations, typically encompassing three components: affective (emotional), cognitive (thoughts), and behavioral (tendencies). The A-B-C model is highlighted where A refers to emotions towards an attitude object, B to behavior tendencies, and C to cognitive beliefs. Terms like 'Prejudice' and 'Discrimination' are also defined. Prejudice refers to preconceived negative judgments towards a group, while discrimination involves behaviors that treat individuals unfairly based on group membership. The process of attitude formation is explained through various mechanisms, including learning by association, reinforcement, teaching, and cultural influences. Furthermore, the section highlights changes in attitudes, such as cognitive dissonance, which occurs when individuals experience conflicting beliefs or attitudes, prompting adjustments to restore mental harmony. Understanding these terms is vital for exploring more complex social psychological theories and studying how attitudes shape interpersonal relations.
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Concept of Attitudes
Chapter 1 of 4
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Chapter Content
Attitudes, Balance, Beliefs, Centrality of attitude, Cognitive consistency, Cognitive dissonance, Congruent attitude change, Discrimination, Extremeness of attitude, Identification, Incongruent attitude change, Kernel of truth, Persuasibility, Prejudice, Scapegoating, Self-fulfilling prophecy, Simplicity or complexity (multiplexity) of attitude, Valence of attitude, Values.
Detailed Explanation
In psychology, 'attitudes' are defined as psychological tendencies expressed by evaluating a particular entity with favor or disfavor. They have three components: cognitive (thoughts and beliefs), affective (feelings), and behavioral (actions). The list also includes several key terms associated with attitudes. For instance, 'cognitive consistency' describes the desire for harmony between thoughts and actions, while 'cognitive dissonance' explains the discomfort one feels when their beliefs and actions conflict. 'Valence of attitude' indicates whether an attitude is positive, negative, or neutral.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you have a friend who strongly believes in recycling (an attitude). If they throw a plastic bottle in the trash, they may experience cognitive dissonance because their action conflicts with their belief. To resolve this discomfort, they might either justify their action or change their behavior and start recycling.
Understanding Attitudes
Chapter 2 of 4
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Chapter Content
• Human beings have a need to interact with and relate to others, and to explain their own as well as others’ behaviour.
• People develop attitudes, or thoughts and behavioural tendencies, through learning processes, family and school influences, reference groups and the media. Attitudes have an affective, cognitive and behavioural component, and can be understood in terms of valence, extremeness, simplicity or complexity (multiplexity) and centrality.
Detailed Explanation
Humans naturally seek connection with others and strive to understand social dynamics. This process leads to the formation of attitudes, which are shaped by experiences in different environments such as home, school, and broader social circles. These attitudes consist of three parts: the emotional reaction (affective), the beliefs or thoughts (cognitive), and the observable behaviors (behavioral). Terms like 'valence' help to describe the tone of the attitude—whether it’s positive or negative. 'Extremeness' denotes how strong these attitudes are.
Examples & Analogies
Consider how children develop attitudes towards studying. A child who sees their parents valuing education may develop a positive attitude towards school (affective), believe that education is important (cognitive), and may do homework regularly (behavioral).
Mechanisms of Attitude Change
Chapter 3 of 4
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Chapter Content
• Attitude change takes according to the balance concept, cognitive consonance and the two-step concept. Attitude change is affected by characteristics of the source, the target, and the message. Negative attitudes (prejudices) towards a group often create conflicts within a society, and are expressed through discrimination, but there are practical strategies for handling prejudice.
Detailed Explanation
Attitudes can change through various mechanisms, including the balance concept, where inconsistencies between beliefs and behaviors prompt change, and cognitive consonance, which strives for internal harmony. The source of an attitude change (like a respected person), the individual’s characteristics (the target), and the attractiveness and clarity of the message all influence whether a change will occur. Prejudices can lead to societal conflicts but can be managed through strategies like education and engagement.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a well-known figure advocating for environmental conservation. Their positive messaging on recycling might convince individuals—who previously held a negative attitude about it—to start recycling, illustrating how influential sources can foster attitude changes.
Prejudice and Discrimination
Chapter 4 of 4
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Chapter Content
Prejudices are examples of attitudes towards a particular group. They are usually negative, and in many cases, may be based on stereotypes (the cognitive component) about the specific group. All members belonging to this group are assumed to possess these characteristics. Often, stereotypes consist of undesirable characteristics about the target group, and they lead to negative attitudes or prejudices towards members of specific groups.
Detailed Explanation
Prejudice refers to preconceived negative attitudes towards a group based on stereotypes—oversimplified beliefs about a group’s characteristics that are often untrue. These prejudices can lead to discrimination, where individuals or groups are treated unfairly based on their group membership. It’s important to recognize that not all prejudices manifest as discrimination, but they often coexist.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a workplace where management assumes that older workers are less capable of learning new technologies. This stereotype can lead to exclusion from training opportunities, showcasing how prejudice influences behavior and perpetuates inequality.
Key Concepts
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Attitudes: Evaluative reactions comprising cognitive, affective, and behavioral components that direct social behavior.
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Prejudice: Negatively biased evaluations towards certain groups leading to discrimination.
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Cognitive Dissonance: The mental discomfort that drives attitude change when faced with conflicting beliefs.
Examples & Applications
An individual who feels positively about a healthy lifestyle (affective), believes in the benefits of exercise (cognitive), and regularly goes to the gym (behavioral).
A student raised in a family that values hard work may develop a strong work ethic (attitude) and be motivated to study diligently.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Attitudes we grow, they guide us so, A-B-C we must know!
Stories
Once a girl named Anna had a strong attitude towards healthy eating. She felt happy (affective), thought fruits were good (cognitive), and always chose salad over fries (behavioral).
Memory Tools
Use 'P.E.N.' to remember: Prejudice leads to Emotion (affective), Negative thinking (cognitive), Nasty actions (behavior).
Acronyms
Remember A-B-C for Attitudes
Affective
Behavioral
Cognitive.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Attitudes
A state of mind involving evaluative reactions towards objects, individuals, or situations, consisting of three components: affective, cognitive, and behavioral.
- Prejudice
A preconceived negative judgment towards a group, often based on stereotypes.
- Discrimination
Behavioral actions taken against individuals based on their group membership, often stemming from prejudiced attitudes.
- Cognitive Dissonance
The psychological discomfort experienced when holding conflicting thoughts or beliefs, leading to attitude change.
- Modeling
Learning attitudes through observing the behavior of others.
- Reinforcement
A process through which attitudes are strengthened or weakened by rewards or punishments.
- Cultural Norms
Societal rules that guide behavior and attitudes within a specific group or context.
Reference links
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