Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
Today, we'll start with the Theory of Reasoned Action. This theory explains that our behavior is driven by our intentions, which are influenced by our attitudes and the social norms around us.
So, if I believe exercising is good and my friends encourage it, I'll probably exercise more often?
Exactly! If both your attitude is positive and the social norm supports it, your intention to exercise becomes stronger. Can anyone think of a situation where this might not hold true?
What if someone has a positive attitude but is just too busy?
Great point! External factors like time constraints can limit behavior despite positive attitudes. Remember, attitudes shape intentions, but they donโt guarantee actions.
Could we say that intentions are like a bridge between attitudes and actions?
That's an excellent analogy! Intentions indeed act as the bridge. So, what would motivate someone to change their intention?
Maybe new information or experiences!
Exactly! New experiences can influence attitudes, thereby changing intentions and behaviors. Let's solidify this learning: TRA links attitudes to behavior through intentions!
Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
Now, letโs transition to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, or ELM. This model describes two different paths that can lead to attitude change: the central route and the peripheral route.
Whatโs the difference between the two routes?
Good question! The central route requires careful and thoughtful consideration of the arguments presented. On the other hand, the peripheral route relies on superficial cues, like who is delivering the message or their emotional appeal.
So, if I really care about a topic and analyze the information, Iโm using the central route?
Exactly! The central route is effective when you're motivated and able to process information. But when youโre not as invested, the peripheral route can still lead to attitude changes, even if it's less stable.
Can you give an example of each route?
Certainly! An example of the central route would be someone reading an article about climate change, analyzing the data, and forming a strong opinion based on that information. A peripheral route example might be someone being influenced by a celebrity endorsement for an eco-friendly product.
That makes total sense! Can attitudes formed this way change easily?
Yes, especially those formed through the peripheral route, as they are based on less thoughtful consideration. Recapping our points helps reinforce the two routes of ELM!
Balance Theory (Heider)
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
Let's now turn our attention to Balance Theory. This theory states that individuals strive for harmony and balance within their attitudes.
What happens if there's a mismatch in our attitudes?
Great question! If someone has a positive attitude toward A but a negative attitude toward B, and A is related to B, they'll experience tension and will likely adjust either A, B, or their feelings towards their relationship.
So, like if I really like a band but my friend hates them, I might change my opinion to avoid conflict?
Precisely! To maintain balance, individuals often adjust their attitudes. This need for balance is a strong motivator in social relationships.
Is this why people sometimes struggle with their beliefs?
Yes! Cognitive dissonance plays a role here. When people face conflicting beliefs, they experience discomfort, prompting a desire to correct that imbalance.
Recapping, Balance Theory suggests we tend towards consistency in attitudes with relationships to maintain harmony!
Exactly right! Always remember that striving for balance is a fundamental aspect of our attitudinal dynamics.
Introduction & Overview
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we investigate key theories such as the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Elaboration Likelihood Model, and Balance Theory. Each theory provides insight into the complex relationship between attitudes and behavior, highlighting how intentions, reasoning, and social dynamics interplay in shaping our attitudinal framework.
Detailed
Theories of Attitudes
This section delves into critical theories that elucidate how attitudes are formed, maintained, and altered, making an essential connection between attitudinal frameworks and behavioral outcomes. The following key theories are discussed:
1. Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)
This theory posits that behavior is driven by intentions, which are shaped by attitudes toward the behavior and subjective norms. Essentially, individuals weigh the outcomes before engaging in a behavior, and if they perceive a favorable outcome, their attitude propels them to act.
2. Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)
The ELM presents two routes for attitude change:
- Central Route: Involves thoughtful consideration of arguments; it works best when individuals are motivated and able to process information.
- Peripheral Route: Involves superficial cues like the attractiveness of the speaker or emotional appeal; this route is effective when the audience is less motivated or less capable of a deep analysis.
3. Balance Theory (Heider)
This theory suggests that individuals strive for harmony in their attitudes. When a person holds a particular attitude about an object that is connected to another individual or entity, they will adjust either their attitude towards the object or the other individual to create balance and consistency.
Understanding these theories provides a framework for predicting behavioral tendencies based on attitudinal shifts, thereby demonstrating the relevance of psychological practices in various life domains.
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
According to this theory, attitudes are linked to intentions, which in turn affect behavior. People evaluate potential outcomes before engaging in a behavior. If they perceive a favorable outcome, their attitude will drive them to act accordingly.
Detailed Explanation
The Theory of Reasoned Action posits that our attitudes toward a behavior influence our intentions, which ultimately guide our actions. Before deciding to act, individuals consider the possible outcomes. If they believe the outcomes will be positive or beneficial, their personal attitude will encourage them to proceed with that behavior. For instance, if someone has a positive attitude towards exercising because they believe it will improve their health, they're more likely to make an intention to work out regularly.
Examples & Analogies
Think of preparing for an exam. If a student believes studying will lead to a good grade (favorable outcome), their positive attitude leads them to intend to study harder. Conversely, if they think studying won't help, they might skip it altogether.
Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
The ELM proposes two routes to attitude change: Central Route: People are persuaded by strong, logical arguments. Peripheral Route: People are persuaded by superficial cues like attractiveness, emotion, or credibility.
Detailed Explanation
The Elaboration Likelihood Model explains that there are two main ways people are persuaded to change their attitudes. The Central Route involves careful thinking and logical reasoning, where a strong argument can change a personโs viewpoint. In contrast, the Peripheral Route relies on superficial factors such as the attractiveness of the presenter or emotional appeal. If someone is more focused on a product's appealing advertisement rather than the actual product benefits, they're using the Peripheral Route to form their attitude.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine watching a political debate. If you focus on the candidates' arguments and policies (Central Route), you're analyzing deeply. But if you're swayed by a candidate's charm or attire (Peripheral Route), your attitude might change based on superficial attributes rather than solid reasoning.
Balance Theory (Heider)
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
This theory suggests that individuals strive for balance and consistency in their attitudes. If an individual has an attitude of like or dislike towards something, and that object is related to someone or something else, the individual will adjust their attitudes to maintain harmony.
Detailed Explanation
Balance Theory asserts that people want their attitudes to be consistent, especially when they are related to others. For example, if a person likes both their friend and a band that the friend dislikes, they may experience discomfort due to this imbalance. To resolve the discomfort, they might change their feelings toward the band (possibly to dislike it) to maintain harmony in that relationship.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a scenario where you have to choose between two friends: one loves a particular restaurant while another hates it. To keep things smooth between both friends, you might say you dislike the restaurant too, just to stay in sync with the friend you agree with more. This way, you create balance in your relationships.
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
-
Theory of Reasoned Action: A theory linking beliefs and behaviors through intentions.
-
Elaboration Likelihood Model: A model describing two routes to attitude change based on motivation and ability.
-
Balance Theory: A theory explaining the need for consistency among attitudes related to entities.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
-
A student who believes recycling is important is more likely to follow through with recycling behaviors due to their positive attitude (TRA).
-
A person is persuaded to buy a product based on an attractive celebrity endorsement, illustrating the peripheral route of ELM.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
๐ต Rhymes Time
-
When closer to a choice, consider what you feel, / Attitudes guide intentions, make your truth real.
๐ Fascinating Stories
-
Imagine a student torn between two friends with opposing views on a debate topic. To maintain harmony, the student adopts a neutral stance, showcasing Balance Theory in their social network.
๐ง Other Memory Gems
-
ELM: Evaluate, Listen, Motivate. Remember, central involves deep thinking, while peripheral is quick and easy!
๐ฏ Super Acronyms
TRA
- Ties (attitudes to) Real Actions!
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
-
Term: Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)
Definition:
A theory suggesting that an individualโs behavior is determined by their intention to perform the behavior, which is influenced by their attitudes and subjective norms.
-
Term: Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)
Definition:
A model proposing two routes to attitude change: the central route, which involves thoughtful consideration, and the peripheral route, which relies on superficial cues.
-
Term: Balance Theory
Definition:
A theory formulated by Heider that states individuals strive for harmony in their assessments of relationships between things or people.