Attitudes

Question 1

Attitude definition (Hogg & Vaughan, 2005)

Answer 1

Organisation of beliefs, feelings and behavioural tendencies towards significant objects, groups, events or symbols

Question 2

ABC model of attitude (Rosenberg & Hovland, 1960)

Answer 2

• Affect
• Behaviour
• Cognition

Question 3

What are attitudes formed through?

Answer 3

• Imitation + rolemodels
• Conditioning
• Experience
• Social norms

Question 4

Why are attitudes formed?

Answer 4

• Express who we are
• Social acceptance
• Protect our self-esteem
• Express what we believe
• Avoid punishment
• Understand the world

Question 5

Theory of planned behaviour (Azjen, 1991)

Answer 5

• Perceived social pressure, attitudes + perceived control lead to intentions
• Intentions lead to behavioural change

Question 6

What can doctors use attitudes to predict?

Answer 6

• Adherence to lifestyle advice
• Concordance with treatment
• Engagement with non-pharmacological interventions
• Uptake of screening tests
• Willingness to attend appointments

Question 7

Methods of measuring attitudes

Answer 7

• Behavioural observation
• Covert measurement
• Self-report scales

Question 8

3 factors that change attitudes

Answer 8

• Cognitive dissonance
• Self-perception
• Persuasive communication

Question 9

What is cognitive dissonance? (Festinger, 1957)

Answer 9

• Humans have an innate desire for consistency
• Inconsistency = dissonance

Question 10

Ways to resolve dissonance (Festinger, 1957)

Answer 10

• Gain new information that overrides a dissonant cognition
• Reduce the importance
• Change attitudes

Question 11

Self-perception theory (Bem, 1967)

Answer 11

• Traditional view = attitudes determine behaviour (eg. “I don’t like liberal politicians, so I vote only for conservatives”)
• Bem’s self-perception theory = behaviour determines attitudes (eg. “Now that I think about it, I vote only for conservatives, so I guess I don’t like liberal politicians”)

Question 12

Elaboration likelihood model (audience factors, processing approach and persuasion outcome)

Answer 12

• Central
  > AF = high motivation or ability to think about message
  > PA = deep processing, individual is focused on quality of arguments
  > PO = creates lasting change
• Peripheral
  > AF = low motivation or ability to think about message
  > PA = shallow processing, focused on attractiveness or number of arguments present
  > PO = creates temporary change

Question 13

5 A’s of brief intervention

Answer 13

• Ask (about smoking)
• Advise (to quit)
• Assess willingness (to quit)
• Assist patient in attempt (to quit)
• Arrange follow-up