Ch 4: Behavior & Attitudes

What theory/theories propose that our actions trigger genuine attitude change?

(1) the dissonance-theory assumption that we justify our behavior to reduce our internal discomfort (explains this attitude change by assuming that we feel tension after acting contrary to our attitudes or making difficult decisions. To reduce that at that arousal, we internally justify her behavior. Dissonance theory further proposes that the less external justification we have for undesirable actions, the more we feel responsible for them, and thus the more distance arises and the more attitudes change to come into line with our actions.) (2) the self-perception-theory assumption that we observe our behavior and make reasonable inferences about our attitudes, much as we observe other people and infer their attitudes. (Assumes that when our attitudes are weak, we simply observe our behavior and its circumstances, then infer our attitudes. One interesting implication of self-perception theory is the "overjustification effect") Evidence supports predictions from both theories, suggesting that each describes what happens under certain conditions.

Cognitive dissonance theory

(self-justification; assumes that to reduce discomfort, we justify our actions to ourselves.) Predicts that when our actions are not fully explained by external rewards or corrosion, we will experience dissonance, which we can reduce by believing in what we have done. (Ex: "I know smoking is bad for me." "Ah... I've been waiting all day for this." "Oh well... the statistics aren't as awful as they say. Anyway, I'm very healthy. I won't get sick.")

Self-perception theory

(self-observation; assumes that our actions are self-revealing: when uncertain about our feelings or beliefs, we look to our behavior, much as anyone else would.) (Ex: here I am smoking again. I must like smoking.)

implicit association test (IAT)

A computer-driven assessment of implicit attitudes. The test uses reaction times to measure people's automatic associations between attitude objects and evaluative words. Easier pairings (and faster responses) are taken to indicate stronger unconscious associations.

role

A set of norms that defines how people in a given social position ought to behave.

self-affirmation theory

A theory that (a) people often experience a self-image threat after engaging in an undesirable behavior; and (b) they can compensate by affirming another aspect of the self. Threaten people's self-concept in one domain, and they will compensate either by refocusing or by doing good deeds in some other domain.

ABCS of attitudes

Affect (feelings), Behavior tendency, and Cognition (thoughts)

Self-presentation theory

Assumes that people, especially those who self-monitor their behavior hoping to create good impressions, will adapt their attitude reports to appear consistent with their actions. (impression management; assumes that for strategic reasons we express attitudes that make us appear consistent) The available evidence confirms that people do adjust their attitude statements out of concern for what other people will think. But it also shows that some genuine attitude change occurs. (Ex: "I look like a cool smoker")

According to reported results of IAT assesments online...

Implicit biases are pervasive. People differ in implicit bias. People are often unaware of their implicit biases.

How do our inner attitudes (evaluative reactions toward some object or person, often rooted in beliefs) relate to our external behavior? Although popular wisdom stresses the impact of attitudes on behavior, in fact, attitudes are often poor predictors of behaviors. Moreover, changing people's attitudes typically fails to produce much change in their behavior. These findings inspired social psychologists to find out why we so often fail to walk the walk we talk.

Our expressions of attitudes and our behaviors are each subject to many influences. Our attitudes will predict our behavior (1) if these "other influences" are minimized, (2) if the attitude corresponds very closely to the predicted behavior (as in voting studies), and (3) if the attitude is potent (because something reminds us of it, or because we acquired it by direct experience). Under these conditions, what we think and feel predicts what we do.

insufficient justification

Reduction of dissonance by internally justifying one's behavior when external justification is "insufficient."

What theory/theories provide an explanation for why our actions might only seem to affect our attitudes?

Self-presentation theory

What are the 3 different theories that explain why our actions affect our attitude reports?

Self-presentation theory, cognitive dissonance theory, and self-perception theory

cognitive dissonance

Tension that arises when one is simultaneously aware of two inconsistent cognitions. For example, dissonance may occur when we realize that we have, with little justification, acted contrary to our attitudes or made a decision favoring one alternative despite reasons favoring another.

How do actions also affect our moral attitudes?

That which we have done, even if it is evil, we tend to justify as right.

overjustification effect

The result of bribing people to do what they already like doing; then see their actions they may as externally controlled rather than intrinsically appealing. (Rewarding people to do what they like doing anyway can turn their pleasure into drudgery (if the reward leads them to attribute their behavior to the reward).)

facial feedback effect

The tendency of facial expressions to trigger corresponding feelings such as fear, anger, or happiness.

selective exposure

The tendency to seek information and media that agree with one's views and to avoid dissonant information.

self-perception theory

The theory that when we are unsure of our attitudes, we infer them much as would someone observing us-by looking at our behavior and the circumstances under which it occurs.

How does the attitude-action relation also works in the reverse direction?

We are likely not only to think ourselves into action but also to act ourselves into a way of thinking. When we act, we amplify the idea underlying what we have done, especially when we feel responsible for it. Many streams of evidence converge on this principle. Similarly, what we say or write can strongly influence attitudes that we subsequently hold.

How do our racial and political behaviors help shape our social consciousness?

We not only stand up for what we believe, we also believe in what we have stood up for. Political and social movements may legislate behavior designed to lead to attitude change on a mass scale.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

When people do something they enjoy, without reward or coercion, they attribute their behavior to their love of the activity. External rewards undermine in- trinsic motivation by leading people to attribute their behavior to the incentive.

attitude

feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond favorably or unfavorably to objects, people, and events.

The theory of planned behavior

one's (a) attitudes, (b) perceived social norms, and (c) feelings of control together determine one's intentions, which guide behavior.

"dual processing" capacity

our capacity for both automatic (effortless, habitual, implicit, System 1) and controlled (deliberate, conscious, explicit, System 2) thinking