Final Flashcards
Consistency Theories
a set of theories that are based on the assumption that humans have a basic need to be psychologically consistent; Includes Balance Theory, Congruity Theory, and Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Balance Theory
Fritz Heider; P-O-X theory, a person (p), another person (o), and an object (x). Each item is in a triangle together with a positive or negative element to each other; is used to describe interpersonal relationships- if someone you like something, then you now like that thing too. Ex used in product advertising with a famous athlete
Congruity Theory
shows how people evaluate other people or things on a continuum rather then simply positive or negative (Scale); 2 assumptions are that attitudes tend toward maximum simplicity and that two attitude objects are linked by an assertion and differ in evaluation, pressure exists to shift toward a point of equilibrium
Maximum simplicity
suggests that our attitudes tend to fall toward the ends of the continuum rather than in the middle; It is easier for us to hold stongly held attitudes than it is to hold neutral attitudes in the middle of the continuum
Congruity Theory Strengths
- provides a better explanation of consistency by allowing the attitudes to move along a continuum without having to completely change from positive to negative.
- Both Attitudes can move as opposed to other theories when only one of the attitudes can change; This offers a stronger explanatory power for the theory
Congruity Theory Limitations
- Does not explain situations that are more complex than the interaction of only two elements related to the target receiver
- Predictive power is limited
Congitive DIssonance Theory
Have cognitions in our brains that are little bits of knowledge that can 3 different relationships with one another; is an aversive motivational state that people attempt to eliminate these uncomfortable congnitions
CDT 3 different relationships cognitions have with one another
- Dissonant relationship-Two cognitions that are inconsistent with one another (Buying a laptop is not related to a new power cord for the home computer)
- Consonant Relationship-Involves two cognitions that are consistent with one another; Buying a power cord is consistent with the belief of we need a power cord
- Irrelevant Relationship-two cognitions that a person perceives as unrelated (ex: I eat cheese is not related to I bought a laptop and two ipads
Magnitude of Dissonance
the amount of dissonance; it varies and affects the pressure for change; effected by 1. the importance of the cognitions, the ratio of dissonant to cognitions and the degree of cognitive overlap
Cognitive Overlap (CDT)
The similarity fo the choices available; the greater the similarity the greater the overlap
Dissonance Reduction
Comes after the magnitude of dissonance; The process a person engages in to reduce cognitive dissonance; carried out in ways change of behavior, change the ratio, change the importance, denial, bolstering, transcendence and differentiation
Change of Importance (Dissonance Reduction)
Change of the importance of cognitions; ex deciding elements weren’t that important after all
Change of Behavior (Dissonance Reduction)
Change of Behavior; ex stopping smoking in order to deal with dissonance of a anti smoking commerical
Change the Ratio
More reaons or cognitions that are consistent with her behavior to reduce the dissonance; ex individual could decide that smoking also enhances concentration, creating a more consonant situation for the receiver
Denial
Choosing to disbelieve the information
Bolstering
Adding consonant elements to reduce the ratio of dissonant to consonant elements; ex smoker referring to others who use weight control as a positive health benefit, emphasize the pleasure of smoking and focus on smokers rights issues
Transcendence
values that are more important than the issues causing the dissonance ; ex anti abortion people killing a abortion doctor, which is basically killing a human being to stand up for those who kill human beings; only makes sense under transcendence, when they say that killing the doctor will protect hundreds of unborn children in the future
Differentiation
splitting the attitude object into acceptable and unacceptable parts; ex smioker differentiate between filtered cigarettes and unfiltered cigarettes, filtered is thought of as safer so there is not as much dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance Contexts (4)
The situations that dissonance is most likely to occur; are four induced compliance, hypocrisy, decision making and effort justification
INduced compliance
when dissonance results from being induced to perfom a counter-attitudinal behavior (behaving in a manner that goes against their attitudes)
Ex: Going to girlfriends dance recital, were forced to but tell friends that youi actually enjoyed it when you actually didnt dissonace
Hypocrisy
Say one thing but do another; a persons behavior is not consistent with the attitude they hold; Want to change their behavior instead of attitude; ex kids believe that using condoms reduces changes of getting HIV and sTDs but still do not use condoms during sex
Decision Making
Causes dissonance; Has four stages;
- Conflict-alternatives are being evaluated and info is being gathered
- Decision- The decision is made
- Cognitive Dissonance-feel dissonance about whether we made the right choice
- Dissonance Reduction- seek supporting info to help us feel better about our decision and precieve our choice to be better than we initially did
Effort Justification
When we expend great effort or enure great discomfort to obtain some desirable outcome dissonance is aroused; attempt to justify the horrible dissonance that you experience; ex frats - tell yourself that the benefits are great and will last a lifetime
Necessary Conditions for Cognitive Dissonance
self explanatory; The conditions are
- Aversive Consequences
- Freedom of Choice
- Insufficient External Justification