Understanding Attitudes and Influences in Social Psychology

Social Psychology

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| Questions: 16 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025

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1. Attitudes are the most distinctive and indispensable concept in contemporary social psychology. No other term appears more frequently. Is this correct? and who said this?

Yes! and it was Allport (1935)

Yes! and it was Freud (1920)

No, attitudes were first defined by Watson (1913)

No, attitudes are not emphasized in contemporary social psychology

Attitudes are indeed considered one of the most important concepts in contemporary social psychology, and this statement aligns with the findings by Allport in 1935. While Freud and Watson made significant contributions to psychology, they did not emphasize attitudes in the same way as Allport did.

Explanation

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About This Quiz

Understanding Attitudes and Influences In Social Psychology - Quiz

Explore core concepts of Social Psychology including attitude structures, their functions, and predictive behaviors. Delve into theories like Cognitive Dissonance and models such as the Elaboration-likelihood and Heuristic systematic models, enhancing understanding of communication influences and psychological responses.

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2. What are the two attitude definitions?

Thurstone (1931) and Rosenberg and Hovland (1960). Thurston belives there is only one component to an attitude and developed the... Thurstone (1931) and Rosenberg and Hovland (1960). Thurston belives there is only one component to an attitude and developed the affect-based model (I like oranges/ I do not like oranges). Rosenberg and Hovland developed the three component model: 1) Affective (feeling) e.g. I like oranges2) Behavioral (intention to act) e.g. I will eat an orange every morning!3) Cognitive (believe) e.g. I believe oranges are good for you. :) Note: Easy way to remember this is the ABCs of attitudes.

Maslow and Skinner

Jung and Freud

Pavlov and Bandura

Thurstone (1931) believed in a single component attitude model, while Rosenberg and Hovland (1960) developed the three component attitude model known as the ABCs of attitudes.

Explanation

Thurstone (1931) believed in a single component attitude model, while Rosenberg and Hovland (1960) developed the three component attitude model known as the ABCs of attitudes.

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3. Name the three self report measures and what are their disadvantages.

C. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Disadvantages include: susceptibility to faking and social desirability bias.

1. Thurstone's (1928) method of equal-appearing intervals2. Likert's (1932) method of summating ratings3. Osgood, Suci and Tannenbaum's (1957) semantic differential... 1. Thurstone's (1928) method of equal-appearing intervals2. Likert's (1932) method of summating ratings3. Osgood, Suci and Tannenbaum's (1957) semantic differential Disadvantages include: susceptible to misrepresentation and reactivity.

B. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Disadvantages include: poor scientific validation and lack of reliability.

A. Stanford-Binet IQ test. Disadvantages include: lack of cultural fairness and limited scope.

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4. What are some attitude measures that are not based on self reports?

Interviews with individuals

Physiological measures such as galvanic skin response (sweating etc), heart rate, pupil dilation, electromyogram EMG. (Problems with this is that... Physiological measures such as galvanic skin response (sweating etc), heart rate, pupil dilation, electromyogram EMG. (Problems with this is that it doesn't show the quality of an attitudinal response)Behavioral measures such as seating arrangements in a classroom or lost-letter technique.

Surveys and questionnaires

Observing subjective feelings of individuals

Attitude measures that are not based on self reports include physiological and behavioral measures, rather than relying on surveys, interviews, or subjective feelings.

Explanation

Attitude measures that are not based on self reports include physiological and behavioral measures, rather than relying on surveys, interviews, or subjective feelings.

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5. Explain the Balance Theory (Heider, 1958).

Heider's triads represent relations between different elements using the P-O-X notation. A triad is unbalanced if there are an even... Heider's triads represent relations between different elements using the P-O-X notation. A triad is unbalanced if there are an even number of positive relationships. People are motivated to change their relationships in order to make their triads balanced. (P likes X, O dislikes X, P and O??)

D. Balance Theory argues that positive relationships have no impact on individuals' motivations to change.

C. Balance Theory proposes that people are content with having unbalanced relationships.

A. Balance Theory refers to the equilibrium between work and personal life.

B. Balance Theory suggests that individuals are more likely to engage in risky behaviors when in a balanced state.

Heider's Balance Theory focuses on the concept of cognitive balance within social relationships, where individuals strive for consistency and harmony among their perceptions of others.

Explanation

Heider's Balance Theory focuses on the concept of cognitive balance within social relationships, where individuals strive for consistency and harmony among their perceptions of others.

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6. What is the Expectancy Value Model according to Fishbein & Ajzen (1975)?

According to the Expectancy Value Model, attitudes are irrelevant in predicting behavior and are not influenced by beliefs or evaluations.

The Expectancy Value Model proposes that attitudes are solely based on past experiences and do not consider future expectations.

The Expectancy Value Model is a mathematical equation that predicts behavior based on attitude and subjective norms.

Expectancy (belief strength): A probability estimate regarding the likelihood of the attitude event occurring (likely/unlikely)Value (evaluation): An affective evaluation of... Expectancy (belief strength): A probability estimate regarding the likelihood of the attitude event occurring (likely/unlikely)Value (evaluation): An affective evaluation of the attitude object (good/bad)Attitude = Sum of (expectations x values)Attitudes are weighed by how much you think they are going to impact.

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7. What is the Attitude Function according to Katz (1960)?

Instrumental - Attitudes help people to reach their goalsKnowledge - Attitudes help to organize informationExpressive - Attitudes help to establish... Instrumental - Attitudes help people to reach their goalsKnowledge - Attitudes help to organize informationExpressive - Attitudes help to establish a person's identity (says who you are and what you are about)Ego-defensive - Attitudes protect people from inner conflicts

Affective - Attitudes are based on emotional responses

Temporal - Attitudes change based on the time of day or season

Behavioral - Attitudes dictate behavior without any underlying reasons

The Attitude Function according to Katz (1960) includes instrumental, knowledge, expressive, and ego-defensive functions which are instrumental in helping individuals achieve goals, organize information, establish identity, and protect from inner conflicts respectively.

Explanation

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8. What was the study of La Piere (1934)?

The study examined the relationship between weather conditions and mood changes.

He was interested in whether attitudes towards Chinese people predict behavior. He visited 66 hotels and 184 restaurants across the... He was interested in whether attitudes towards Chinese people predict behavior. He visited 66 hotels and 184 restaurants across the USA with a Chinese couple and only one refued to serve them. He then sent a questionnaire six months later and 92% of the places visited said they would not accept members of the Chinese race. Attitude = prejudiceBehavior = non prejudice

The study investigated the impact of social media on consumer behavior.

The study focused on Japanese culture in America.

La Piere's study specifically examined attitudes towards Chinese people and how they influenced behavior, not Japanese culture, social media, or weather conditions.

Explanation

La Piere's study specifically examined attitudes towards Chinese people and how they influenced behavior, not Japanese culture, social media, or weather conditions.

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9. What is Fishbein & Ajzen (1980)'s theory of reasoned action? Are there any problems with this theory?

The theory suggests that intentions are always a perfect predictor of behavior.

According to the theory, behaviors are completely unrelated to attitudes or intentions.

This theory states that attitudes do not affect behavior at all.

That attitudes really predict intention to behave and intention to behave predicts attitudes :D However, sometimes intentions do not predict... That attitudes really predict intention to behave and intention to behave predicts attitudes :D However, sometimes intentions do not predict behavior. E.g. exercising in the gym. I intend to do it but I do not. reasons? resources, time.

Fishbein & Ajzen's theory of reasoned action posits that attitudes influence intentions and intentions influence behaviors. However, there are cases where intentions do not align with actual behavior due to various factors such as lack of resources or time constraints.

Explanation

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10. Yale concluded effectiveness of persuasive communications was a function of what three components?

Where, When, Why

Who, What and Whom.

Who, Where, Why

How, Why, When

Yale concluded that the effectiveness of persuasive communications depends on the source (Who), the message itself (What), and the audience (Whom).

Explanation

Yale concluded that the effectiveness of persuasive communications depends on the source (Who), the message itself (What), and the audience (Whom).

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11. What are the characteristics of a trustworthy voice?

1. Perceived dishonesty2. Perceived unreliability3. Perceived insignificance4. Unattractiveness

1. Perceived expertise2. Perceived trustworthiness3. Perceived status4. Attractiveness

Trustworthiness is typically associated with expertise, trust, status, and sometimes attractiveness, which are crucial characteristics for a credible voice.

Explanation

Trustworthiness is typically associated with expertise, trust, status, and sometimes attractiveness, which are crucial characteristics for a credible voice.

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12. What are the components of persuasive messages?

1. Colors used in the message

3. Font style of the message

1. Order of arguments (first and last are remembered better than middle)2. One vs Two sided arguments (Two sided messages... 1. Order of arguments (first and last are remembered better than middle)2. One vs Two sided arguments (Two sided messages work best on hostile audiences)3. Type of medium (Simple messages are more persuasive when presented in video format. Complicated work best in written format)4. Fear (Fear arousing messages are more persuasive but only up to a certain point).

2. Number of words in the message

The components of persuasive messages include the order of arguments, the use of one vs two sided arguments, the type of medium used for delivery, and the incorporation of fear to a certain extent to increase persuasiveness. Colors, number of words, and font style are not mentioned as key components of persuasive messages in the correct answer.

Explanation

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13. What are the components that can affect persuasion?

2. Socioeconomic status (Individuals with higher income levels are more easily persuaded than lower income individuals).

1. Age (Younger individuals are more easily persuaded than older individuals).

1. Gender (Women are more easily persuaded than men. although this is questionable as it did not take into account... 1. Gender (Women are more easily persuaded than men. although this is questionable as it did not take into account subject area. Women would be more persuaded on topics men know more about and vice versa!!) 2. Self esteem (People with average self esteem are more easily persuaded as those with high are too sure of themselves and those with low do not concentrate on the message)3. Intelligence and initial position (Intelligent audiences who disagree with the message are more persuaded when they hear two sided arguments. Less intelligent audiences who already agree with the message are more persuaded when they hear one sided arguments.

3. Ethnicity (Certain ethnic groups are more easily persuaded than others).

Persuasion can be influenced by various factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity, but the most significant components are gender, self esteem, intelligence, and initial position.

Explanation

Persuasion can be influenced by various factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity, but the most significant components are gender, self esteem, intelligence, and initial position.

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14. Explain the Elaboration-likelihood model (Petty & Cacioppo 1986) Cacioppo = cappucino hahaha :)

There is only one route to attitude change, which is the central route.

People are motivated to hold correct attitudes. However some are too lazy or do not have time to read through... People are motivated to hold correct attitudes. However some are too lazy or do not have time to read through all information. There are two routes to attitude change: 1) Central Route - Persuasion is mediated by argument based thinking (elaboration) (Going through all articles etc)2) Peripheral Route - persuasion is mediated by factors other than argument-based thinking (peripheral cues) (look at perceived expertise, attractiveness, trustworthiness of speaker).

Perception of expertise, attractiveness, and trustworthiness does not influence attitude change.

People are not motivated to hold correct attitudes.

The Elaboration-likelihood model (Petty & Cacioppo 1986) explains how people are motivated to hold correct attitudes, the two routes to attitude change, and the influence of argument-based thinking versus peripheral cues.

Explanation

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15. What is the Heuristic systematic model?

Systematic processing is exactly the same as ELM's central route. involves cognitive elaboration of arguments and requires ability and motivation.... Systematic processing is exactly the same as ELM's central route. involves cognitive elaboration of arguments and requires ability and motivation. Heuristic Processing uses simple 'rules of thum' to assess validity of message (e.g. trustworthiness, consensus implies correctness). effortless and depends on AVAILABILITY and ACCESSIBILITY of heuristics.

Systematic processing relies solely on emotional responses to messages without cognitive elaboration.

Heuristic processing focuses on analyzing statistical data to determine the correctness of a message.

Heuristic processing is a data manipulation technique that involves complex algorithms and deep learning.

The Heuristic systematic model involves both systematic processing (similar to ELM's central route) and heuristic processing. Systematic processing requires cognitive elaboration, while heuristic processing uses simple rules to assess the validity of a message.

Explanation

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