Psych 3325 Exam #2 with Accurate
Solutions
Attitudes - ANSWER-An evaluation toward something or someone.
Includes three elements:
Affect (emotion)
Cognition
Behavior
Do Attitudes Predict Behavior? - ANSWER-Early studies said no!
LaPiere's (1934) study involving refusal of service for Chinese couple.
Wicker's (1969) conclusion that attitudes and behavior are only weakly correlated.
Later studies said yes, but only sometimes.
Correspondence - ANSWER-Helps us in determining what attitudes predict behavior.
To predict behavior from attitudes, match the level of specificity between the attitude
and the behavior.
To predict specific behaviors, measure specific attitudes.
To predict general behaviors, measure general attitudes.
Cognitive Dissonance - ANSWER-A situation in which two cognitions contradict each
other producing an uncomfortable state of arousal or tension. People are motivated to
have consistent cognitions and will try to relieve this uncomfortable state.
Cognitive Dissonance Theory - ANSWER-(Leon Festinger, 1957)
There are six ways we try to reduce cognitive dissonance:
1. By changing our behavior to bring it in line with the dissonant cognition. (Ex: Don't
attend Michigan)
2. By attempting to justify our behavior through changing one of the dissonant
cognitions. (Ex: There's a football rivalry, but that doesn't relate to my education)
3. By attempting to justify our behavior by adding new cognitions. (Ex: At the time, each
was the best choice for my major)
4. By minimizing the importance of the decision. (Ex: It doesn't matter where I go, I'm
not that interested in grad school anyway)
5. By reducing your perception of choice. (Ex: I had to choose Michigan, my parents are
paying for it)
6. Self-affirmation: trying to bolster the self concept in a different domain. (Ex: Maybe
I'm not loyal to the buckeyes, but at least I'm a great cook)
, When we feel dissonance, we must justify our choice somehow. - ANSWER-Can use
external justification: an explanation for dissonant behavior that resides outside the
individual.
Can use internal justification: the reduction of dissonance by changing something about
oneself.
$20/$1 Study (Festinger and Carlsmith, 1959) - ANSWER-Participants required to do
extremely dull tasks for one hour. Asked to tell the next participant that the study is very
interesting. Either paid $20 or $1 to do this. Then report how interesting the experiment
actually was for you. $20 group didn't have dissonance. For them, experiment was
boring, but they got $20 for lying, so whatever. $1 can reduce dissonance by chaning
attitude toward the task. They'll think "It wasn't that bad," so they can feel like they didn't
really lie for $1.
Historical Context: Stanley Milgram - ANSWER-Obedience to authority.
Experiments conducted during the time that Adolph Eichmann was on trial for his Nazi
war crimes.
The Milgram Paradigm - ANSWER-Participant told that this is a learning experiment--
participant is 'randomly' assigned to be the teacher. Participant must shock other person
every time he gets an answer wrong (starting from 15 volts to 450 volts). Cannot see
other person, but can hear him complaining and screaming in pain (actually hearing a
recording). Told by experimented that he must continue the experiment no matter what
happens. Experimenter says, "please continue," "the experiment requires that you
continue," "it is absolutely essential that you continue," or "you have no other choice;
you must go on."
Everyone went until at least 300 volts before they stopped (the learner complains of
heart problems at 150 volts). About 65% of participants.
The Milgram Paradigm: Variation Experiments - ANSWER-Gender had no effect--
gender of the subject was not fount to have an influence on level of obedience. A
replication with female subjects also found that 65% of them used the full range of
shock.
When the experiment was in an office building (not a laboratory), 47% used the full
range. Participants are in a familiar context.
When the victim was in the same room, 40% used the full range. Learner is humanized.
Gas chambers created for this reason.
When the participants had to touch the "learner," 30% used the full range. Learner is
humanized.
Solutions
Attitudes - ANSWER-An evaluation toward something or someone.
Includes three elements:
Affect (emotion)
Cognition
Behavior
Do Attitudes Predict Behavior? - ANSWER-Early studies said no!
LaPiere's (1934) study involving refusal of service for Chinese couple.
Wicker's (1969) conclusion that attitudes and behavior are only weakly correlated.
Later studies said yes, but only sometimes.
Correspondence - ANSWER-Helps us in determining what attitudes predict behavior.
To predict behavior from attitudes, match the level of specificity between the attitude
and the behavior.
To predict specific behaviors, measure specific attitudes.
To predict general behaviors, measure general attitudes.
Cognitive Dissonance - ANSWER-A situation in which two cognitions contradict each
other producing an uncomfortable state of arousal or tension. People are motivated to
have consistent cognitions and will try to relieve this uncomfortable state.
Cognitive Dissonance Theory - ANSWER-(Leon Festinger, 1957)
There are six ways we try to reduce cognitive dissonance:
1. By changing our behavior to bring it in line with the dissonant cognition. (Ex: Don't
attend Michigan)
2. By attempting to justify our behavior through changing one of the dissonant
cognitions. (Ex: There's a football rivalry, but that doesn't relate to my education)
3. By attempting to justify our behavior by adding new cognitions. (Ex: At the time, each
was the best choice for my major)
4. By minimizing the importance of the decision. (Ex: It doesn't matter where I go, I'm
not that interested in grad school anyway)
5. By reducing your perception of choice. (Ex: I had to choose Michigan, my parents are
paying for it)
6. Self-affirmation: trying to bolster the self concept in a different domain. (Ex: Maybe
I'm not loyal to the buckeyes, but at least I'm a great cook)
, When we feel dissonance, we must justify our choice somehow. - ANSWER-Can use
external justification: an explanation for dissonant behavior that resides outside the
individual.
Can use internal justification: the reduction of dissonance by changing something about
oneself.
$20/$1 Study (Festinger and Carlsmith, 1959) - ANSWER-Participants required to do
extremely dull tasks for one hour. Asked to tell the next participant that the study is very
interesting. Either paid $20 or $1 to do this. Then report how interesting the experiment
actually was for you. $20 group didn't have dissonance. For them, experiment was
boring, but they got $20 for lying, so whatever. $1 can reduce dissonance by chaning
attitude toward the task. They'll think "It wasn't that bad," so they can feel like they didn't
really lie for $1.
Historical Context: Stanley Milgram - ANSWER-Obedience to authority.
Experiments conducted during the time that Adolph Eichmann was on trial for his Nazi
war crimes.
The Milgram Paradigm - ANSWER-Participant told that this is a learning experiment--
participant is 'randomly' assigned to be the teacher. Participant must shock other person
every time he gets an answer wrong (starting from 15 volts to 450 volts). Cannot see
other person, but can hear him complaining and screaming in pain (actually hearing a
recording). Told by experimented that he must continue the experiment no matter what
happens. Experimenter says, "please continue," "the experiment requires that you
continue," "it is absolutely essential that you continue," or "you have no other choice;
you must go on."
Everyone went until at least 300 volts before they stopped (the learner complains of
heart problems at 150 volts). About 65% of participants.
The Milgram Paradigm: Variation Experiments - ANSWER-Gender had no effect--
gender of the subject was not fount to have an influence on level of obedience. A
replication with female subjects also found that 65% of them used the full range of
shock.
When the experiment was in an office building (not a laboratory), 47% used the full
range. Participants are in a familiar context.
When the victim was in the same room, 40% used the full range. Learner is humanized.
Gas chambers created for this reason.
When the participants had to touch the "learner," 30% used the full range. Learner is
humanized.
