Attitude Flashcards
Attitude definition (EOPGEI)
An evaluation a person makes about an object, person, group, event or issue
Where do attitudes come from? (6)
DIRECT CONTACT : formed when knowledge and experience interact with what we already think about something, to produce a modification of that attitude (personal experience)
INTERACTION : relationships between friends/peers (reinforced attitudes are stronger) (volunteering if your friends do)
CHILD REARING : upbringing, parental values, beliefs, practices, attitudes
GROUP MEMBERSHIP : Living in Perth = you favour it
THE MEDIA : powerful effect due to its watchers and readers
CHANCE CONDITIONING : due to your experiences
What are the three components? ABC
All components must be present for an __________________________
AFFECTIVE : (emotions / I feel)
BEHAVIOURAL : (actions / behaviours)
COGNITIVE : (beliefs / I think)
All components must be present for an attitude to exist
There may be inconsistencies between components
Eating fast food even though I know it’s bad for me
A “I feel guilty”
B “I eat fast food”
C “I think fast food is unhealthy”
Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitions = thoughts
Dissonance = clashing
“Disagreement of thoughts” and psychological tension due to awareness of inconsistencies in attitudes. Occurs when how we behave is different to how we think we should behave.
What is the ‘Primacy Effect’?
First impressions based on cognitive schemas
Definition of discrimination
Positive or negative behaviour that is directed toward a social group and its members
Stereotype definition, pros cons and comments
A collection of beliefs that we have about the people who belong to a certain group, regardless of individual differences among members of that group
We tend not to remember individual characteristics but the characteristics of the stereotype
Stereotypes can be useful;
1) simple way to obtain info
2) helps us to interact with people
BUT stereotyping can lead to prejudice which can lead to discrimination
Prejudice definition n info
Holding a (usually) negative attitude towards the members of a group, based solely on their membership of that group
OLD FASHION : a blatant and deliberate form of open rejection towards and individual or group, based purely upon a person’s membership within that group
MODERN DAY : more subtle and insinuates rejection whilst displaying acceptance
Causes of prejudice (4) SJSI
Sausage just say it
SOCIAL INFLUENCE : attitudes toward others learned from important people in our lives (parents holding racist attitudes)
JUST WORLD PHENOMENON : belief that people get what they deserve (‘Haves’ have what they do due to hard work while the unfortunate are as they are because they don’t work hard enough)
SOCIAL CATEGORISATION : in group favouritism and outgroup rejection (Jane Elliott: division of blue and brown eyes, blue eyes superior)
INTER GROUP COMPETITION : (economic hardship) prejudice toward groups who are seen as a threat
Factors that reduce prejudice
2 ways, 1 way has 4 factors
1) intergroup contact
- sustained contact
- mutual interdependence
- superordinate goals
- equality of status
2) cognitive intervention
Intergroup contact definition etc
For prejudice to be reduced between two people there must be increased direct contact
-Contact must be meaningful to both parties and well planned
Sustained contact
The more time you spend with someone, the less likely you are to hold prejudiced views of them (eg Robbers Cave) two groups are bought together to familiarise
Mutual interdependence
Two groups are somehow dependent on one another (needing something from each other)
-must work together meaningfully and co operatively to successfully complete task = reduced prejudice
(Eg: people must come together to fix a broken water pipe)
Equality of status
Being seen and treated fairly despite level of influence/prestige/power assigned to groups in society
-both groups must be seen as fair/equal by each other)
Superordinate goals
CANT be achieved without the other group
Close collaboration of both parties involved
-both parties feel the need to strive for a goal together
= closer, familiarity
“The whole is larger than the sum of its parts”
