PSY 331 social PSY Lecture 14 Outline of Last Lecture I. we see what we wantII. Mental health: classic definitionIII. Accurate View of realityIV. Illusion of well beingV. unrealistically positive view of selfVI. Unrealistic optimismVII. Exaggerated perception of control VIII. Links to well beinga. implicationIX. See what we want:Outline of Current Lecture I. What is an attitude?II. Easy definitionIII. Effect of attitude on behaviorIV. Measure attitude toward behavior V. Get an accurate measurement VI. ResultsVII. Measure specific attitudeVIII. Make attitude accessible IX. Strong attitude Current LectureAttitude Persuasions 1- What is an attitude?o What is an attitudeo Very difficult question Disagreement in the fieldo Technical definition (Eagly & Chaiken 1998)o Psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor.o Psychological tendency??- Easy definitiono Positive or negative evaluation of an objectThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.o We have attitudes about all kinds of things Ourselves, other people, abstract concepts, brickso Why are attitudes interesting? Big reason: influence behavior- Effects of attitude on behavioro Conventional wisdom: attitudes cause behavior 30s: only very weak relationship 50s-60s: panic!! Jump ship More research = clearer picture- 5 factors for strong attitude behavior relationshipo Not exhaustiveo 1. Measure attitude towards behavior  Distinction: attitude toward… Behavior target Behavior self- Example: political candidate Early attitude research : atts toward targets- Weak predictor of behavior- Reason: only 1 of many factors into att. toward behavior.o Strong predictoro 2. Get an accurate measurement Only measure expressed attitude Goes through self-presentational filter- Don’t look bad…o …by revealing objectionable views we hold.o Example: secret bigot Sigall et al (1971) bogous pipeline- Bogous pipeline Fool people into expressing true attitude Procedure:- Strapped in to equipment- “indicates +/- attitude”- Sample questions ( not controversial)o Machine is right!o From forgotten questionnaire- Whites asked about blackso Manipulation: bogus pipeline or paper & pencilo Results: Paper & pencil: rated blacks more positively Relative to avg. American at time  Bogous pipeline: rated more negativelyo Implications: Someone might seem friendly (attitude) …but stab you in the back (behavior)… “true” attitudes can be hard to come by- But are better predicator of behavioro 3. Measure specific attitude Distinction: specific vs. general attitude- Example: cats Fishbein & Ajzen literature review- 26 of 27 studies: general attitude did not predict specific behavior - All 26: specific attitude did o 4. Make attitude accessible Accessibility likelihood that the info will become active in cognitive processes.- Increase accessibility = Increased chance attitude will come to mind Snyder & Swann:- Affirmative action questionnaire- 2 weeks later: mock jurors in sex-discrim case- Manipulation: “organize your thoughts” or nothing Results: decision followed original attitudes More closely when they were accessible.o 5. Strong attitude Better predictors of behavior Resistant to change Stable over time Many, many influences on attitude strength- Intra-attitudinal aspects (e.g. consistent experience)o Example: cats again Inter-attitudinal aspects (e.g., linked to values)- Example: jury duty Personal experience is