Attitudes Formation

Short Questions

Here are some short question-answer pairs based on the topic of attitudes and their formation in psychology:

1. What is an attitude?

   • An attitude is an enduring organization of beliefs, feelings, and behavioral tendencies towards objects, groups, or events.

2. What are the three components of attitudes?

   • The three components are cognitive (beliefs and knowledge), affective (emotional feelings), and behavioral (behavioral tendencies).

3. How do personal experiences influence attitudes?

   • Personal experiences, especially strong ones, can shape attitudes. For example, a bad experience with dogs can lead to a negative attitude towards them.

4. What role do cultural norms play in shaping attitudes?

   • Cultural norms and values significantly influence attitudes. They dictate societal expectations and beliefs that individuals adopt.

5. What is cognitive dissonance?

   • Cognitive dissonance is the uncomfortable tension arising from conflicting attitudes or between attitudes and behavior.

6. How can attitudes be changed through persuasion?

   • Attitudes can be changed through communication, presenting strong arguments, using credible sources, and emotional appeals.

7. What is social influence in the context of attitudes?

   • Social influence includes processes like conformity, compliance, and obedience that can change or shape attitudes based on group norms or pressures.

8. How does self-perception relate to attitudes?

   • People sometimes infer their attitudes from observing their behavior. For instance, frequent volunteering can indicate a positive attitude towards helping others.

9. Why is the relationship between attitude and behavior not always straightforward?

   • Several factors like the strength of the attitude, social norms, and situational factors can influence the consistency between attitude and behavior.

10. How do social comparison processes affect attitudes?

• Social comparison involves individuals comparing their attitudes with those of others. Deviating from perceived norms might lead individuals to adjust their attitudes to fit in or maintain a desired identity.