Attitudes, Attitude Formation, and Cognitive Dissonance (7A) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations
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Which theory best explains attitude inference when internal cues are weak: self-perception or dissonance?
Which theory best explains attitude inference when internal cues are weak: self-perception or dissonance?
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Self-perception theory. Applies when attitudes are ambiguous or unformed.
Self-perception theory. Applies when attitudes are ambiguous or unformed.
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What is the self-perception theory of attitude formation?
What is the self-perception theory of attitude formation?
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People infer attitudes by observing their own behavior. "I must like it if I'm doing it" - behavior shapes attitude.
People infer attitudes by observing their own behavior. "I must like it if I'm doing it" - behavior shapes attitude.
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Which change reduces dissonance by altering a belief to fit behavior?
Which change reduces dissonance by altering a belief to fit behavior?
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Attitude change (change the cognition). Modifies belief to match behavior, resolving inconsistency.
Attitude change (change the cognition). Modifies belief to match behavior, resolving inconsistency.
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Which change reduces dissonance by adding a new belief that justifies behavior?
Which change reduces dissonance by adding a new belief that justifies behavior?
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Add consonant cognitions (rationalization). Justifies behavior with new supporting thoughts.
Add consonant cognitions (rationalization). Justifies behavior with new supporting thoughts.
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What is the central route in the elaboration likelihood model (ELM)?
What is the central route in the elaboration likelihood model (ELM)?
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Persuasion via careful, effortful processing of arguments. High motivation/ability leads to systematic argument evaluation.
Persuasion via careful, effortful processing of arguments. High motivation/ability leads to systematic argument evaluation.
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What is the door-in-the-face technique for attitude change?
What is the door-in-the-face technique for attitude change?
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Large request refused, then smaller request accepted. Reciprocity norm makes moderate request seem reasonable.
Large request refused, then smaller request accepted. Reciprocity norm makes moderate request seem reasonable.
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What is the foot-in-the-door technique for attitude change?
What is the foot-in-the-door technique for attitude change?
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Small request first increases compliance with larger request. Commitment to small action creates consistency pressure.
Small request first increases compliance with larger request. Commitment to small action creates consistency pressure.
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What is the overjustification effect?
What is the overjustification effect?
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External rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for a behavior. External incentives undermine internal enjoyment.
External rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for a behavior. External incentives undermine internal enjoyment.
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What is the insufficient justification effect?
What is the insufficient justification effect?
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Small external reward leads to internal attitude change. Without sufficient external justification, people justify internally.
Small external reward leads to internal attitude change. Without sufficient external justification, people justify internally.
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In Festinger and Carlsmith, which incentive produced more attitude change: $1$ or $20$?
In Festinger and Carlsmith, which incentive produced more attitude change: $1$ or $20$?
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$1$ produced more attitude change (greater dissonance). Less justification = more dissonance = more attitude change.
$1$ produced more attitude change (greater dissonance). Less justification = more dissonance = more attitude change.
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Which change reduces dissonance by minimizing the importance of the conflict?
Which change reduces dissonance by minimizing the importance of the conflict?
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Trivialization (reduce perceived importance). "It's not that important anyway" reduces discomfort.
Trivialization (reduce perceived importance). "It's not that important anyway" reduces discomfort.
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What is the lowball technique?
What is the lowball technique?
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Secure agreement, then raise the cost; commitment increases compliance. Exploits commitment consistency after initial agreement.
Secure agreement, then raise the cost; commitment increases compliance. Exploits commitment consistency after initial agreement.
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Which ELM route usually produces more durable attitude change: central or peripheral?
Which ELM route usually produces more durable attitude change: central or peripheral?
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Central route. Deep processing creates stronger, longer-lasting attitude shifts.
Central route. Deep processing creates stronger, longer-lasting attitude shifts.
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What is cognitive dissonance?
What is cognitive dissonance?
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Psychological discomfort from inconsistent attitudes and behaviors. Tension arises when beliefs and actions don't align.
Psychological discomfort from inconsistent attitudes and behaviors. Tension arises when beliefs and actions don't align.
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According to cognitive dissonance theory, what is the typical motive after inconsistency?
According to cognitive dissonance theory, what is the typical motive after inconsistency?
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Reduce dissonance by changing attitude, behavior, or justification. People seek consistency to eliminate uncomfortable tension.
Reduce dissonance by changing attitude, behavior, or justification. People seek consistency to eliminate uncomfortable tension.
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What is the induced compliance paradigm in cognitive dissonance research?
What is the induced compliance paradigm in cognitive dissonance research?
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Attitude change after acting against beliefs with insufficient justification. Minimal reward for counterattitudinal behavior maximizes dissonance.
Attitude change after acting against beliefs with insufficient justification. Minimal reward for counterattitudinal behavior maximizes dissonance.
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What is the justification of effort effect?
What is the justification of effort effect?
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Valuing an outcome more after expending high effort to obtain it. Dissonance reduction makes difficult achievements seem more worthwhile.
Valuing an outcome more after expending high effort to obtain it. Dissonance reduction makes difficult achievements seem more worthwhile.
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What is postdecision dissonance?
What is postdecision dissonance?
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Dissonance after choosing between options; bolstering chosen option. Reduces regret by enhancing chosen option's attractiveness.
Dissonance after choosing between options; bolstering chosen option. Reduces regret by enhancing chosen option's attractiveness.
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Identify the concept: behavior changes first, then attitude shifts to match the behavior.
Identify the concept: behavior changes first, then attitude shifts to match the behavior.
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Cognitive dissonance reduction (attitude change to fit behavior). Classic dissonance: realigning beliefs to justify actions.
Cognitive dissonance reduction (attitude change to fit behavior). Classic dissonance: realigning beliefs to justify actions.
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What is self-perception theory?
What is self-perception theory?
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People infer attitudes by observing their own behavior and context. "If I did it, I must believe it" - behavior shapes attitudes.
People infer attitudes by observing their own behavior and context. "If I did it, I must believe it" - behavior shapes attitudes.
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Which ELM route is most likely when motivation and ability to process are both high?
Which ELM route is most likely when motivation and ability to process are both high?
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Central route. High involvement enables systematic argument evaluation.
Central route. High involvement enables systematic argument evaluation.
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What is the foot-in-the-door technique?
What is the foot-in-the-door technique?
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Small request first increases compliance with a larger request later. Initial commitment creates consistency pressure for escalation.
Small request first increases compliance with a larger request later. Initial commitment creates consistency pressure for escalation.
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What is the door-in-the-face technique?
What is the door-in-the-face technique?
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Large request refused, then smaller request accepted via reciprocity. Contrast effect makes second request seem reasonable.
Large request refused, then smaller request accepted via reciprocity. Contrast effect makes second request seem reasonable.
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What is the difference between an explicit attitude and an implicit attitude?
What is the difference between an explicit attitude and an implicit attitude?
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Explicit: conscious; implicit: automatic/unconscious associations. Explicit requires awareness; implicit operates below consciousness.
Explicit: conscious; implicit: automatic/unconscious associations. Explicit requires awareness; implicit operates below consciousness.
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What best characterizes the peripheral route to persuasion in the ELM?
What best characterizes the peripheral route to persuasion in the ELM?
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Attitude change via cues (attractiveness, authority), not arguments. Superficial processing relies on heuristics, not content quality.
Attitude change via cues (attractiveness, authority), not arguments. Superficial processing relies on heuristics, not content quality.
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What is an attitude in social psychology?
What is an attitude in social psychology?
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An evaluation (positive or negative) of a person, object, or idea. Encompasses feelings, actions, and thoughts about the target.
An evaluation (positive or negative) of a person, object, or idea. Encompasses feelings, actions, and thoughts about the target.
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What are the three components of the ABC model of attitudes?
What are the three components of the ABC model of attitudes?
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Affect, Behavior, Cognition. Feelings (affect), actions (behavior), and thoughts (cognition) form attitudes.
Affect, Behavior, Cognition. Feelings (affect), actions (behavior), and thoughts (cognition) form attitudes.
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What is the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) used to explain?
What is the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) used to explain?
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How persuasion changes attitudes via central vs peripheral routes. Two distinct processing paths determine persuasion effectiveness.
How persuasion changes attitudes via central vs peripheral routes. Two distinct processing paths determine persuasion effectiveness.
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What is the mere exposure effect?
What is the mere exposure effect?
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Repeated exposure increases liking, even without conscious awareness. Familiarity breeds preference through repeated encounters.
Repeated exposure increases liking, even without conscious awareness. Familiarity breeds preference through repeated encounters.
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What best characterizes the central route to persuasion in the ELM?
What best characterizes the central route to persuasion in the ELM?
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Attitude change via careful, effortful processing of arguments. Requires motivation and ability to analyze message content.
Attitude change via careful, effortful processing of arguments. Requires motivation and ability to analyze message content.
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