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Mathematical Models of Attitude Change

Change in Single Attitudes and Cognitive Structure

  • 1st book:metaData.edition - January 28, 1984
  • book:metaData.latestEdition
  • common:contributors.authors John E. Hunter, Jeffrey E. Danes, Stanley H. Cohen
  • common:contributors.editor Peter R. Monge
  • publicationLanguages:language

Mathematical Models of Attitude Change, Volume 1: Change in Single Attitudes and Cognitive Structure presents the mathematical models that address the existing verbal attitude… seeMoreDescription

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Mathematical Models of Attitude Change, Volume 1: Change in Single Attitudes and Cognitive Structure presents the mathematical models that address the existing verbal attitude change theories, which are translated into families of mathematical models. This book discusses the two types of attitude change, namely, the attitude toward the object of the message and the attitude toward the source of the message. Organized into three parts encompassing 17 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the mathematical models of attitude change that are derived from several theories. This text then explains the empirical work designed to test selected mathematical models of attitude change. Other chapters consider the predictions made by different models, including reinforcement, information processing, social judgment, balance, dissonance, and congruity. This book discusses as well the attitude-related variable, namely, belief and belief change. The final chapter deals with models of change in hierarchical organized attitudes using alternative theories of attitude change. This book is a valuable resource for psychologists.

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Preface

1. Introduction

Some Important Definitions

Background and Context

I. The Passive Communication Context

2. Reinforcement Theory

Basic Reinforcement Model

Theoretical and Technical Alternatives

Source Credibility

Reinforcement Theory: Source Change

Attitude Change and Source Change

3. Information Processing Theory

Introduction

The Basic Information Processing Model

Information Processing Model: An Alternative Derivation

Multiple Messages

Compound Messages

Nonlinear Discrepancy Curves

Theoretical and Technical Variations

Source Change: Interpersonal Context

Source Change in a Political Context

Source Change: Other Contexts

4. Social Judgment Theory

Latitudes of Acceptance and Rejection

Basic Social Judgment Model

Theoretical and Technical Variations

Social Judgment Theory: Source Change

Source Change and Attitude Change

5. Affective Consistency: Balance and Congruity Theory

Balance Theory as Newcomb Derived It

Congruity Theory and Two Stage S-R Theory

6. Classical Congruity Theory

Introduction

Preview

The Original Congruity Model: One-Step Equilibrium

Correction for Incredulity

Source-Object Asymmetry

The Negative Message

Message Strength and the Neutral Message

Congruity without Polarity

7. Dissonance Theory

Introduction

The Intuitive Model

A First Conservation Model

A Second Conservation Model

Janis's Theory of Fear Appeals

8. Summary of Attitude and Source Change Theories

Summary of Attitude Change Theories

Summary of Source Change Theories

9. Cognitive Consistency Theory

Introduction

Logical Consistency Theory and Subjective Probability

Causation and Subjective Probability

The Relevance of the Irrelevant and Vice Versa

Attitude as a Special Kind of Belief

Problems in the Wyer-Goldberg Prediction of Change

Models of Belief Change

Cognitive Inconsistency

Indirect Effects: A One-Step Model

Preservation of Consistency by the One-Step Model

Cognitive Consistency as a Predicted End State

Consistency Producing Probe Messages

Transfer Discrepancy

Awareness of Belief Change

Conclusion

II. Attitude Change Studies

10. Attitude and Source Change in a Simulated Social Network

Method

Results: Change in Attitude toward the Object

Results for Source Change

Observations

11. Change in Political Party and Issue Attitudes

Introduction

Congruity Theory

Information Processing Theory

Reinforcement Theory

Quantitative Differentiation Between Information Processing and Reinforcement Theories

The British Panel Data

Observations

12. Belief Change and Accumulated Information

Introduction

Polarity

Accumulated Information

Hybrid Model

Empirical Study

Results

Observations

Conclusion

13. Cognitive Inconsistency and Change in Purchase Intention

Introduction

Purchase Intention

Advertising and Change in Purchase Intention

The First Study

The Second Study

Observations

III. Relations Between Attitudes

14. Attitude Change in Concept Hierarchies

Concept Hierarchies

Top Down Influence

Models of Change

The Double Comparison Model

Asymptotic Values in Special Cases

The General Results of the Equilibrium Analysis

A Two-Phase Model of External Message Effects

The Dynamics of Attitude Change

Long-Lasting Effects of Attitude Change

Individual Differences in Cognitive Structure

Persuasibility and Dogmatism

Estimation of Parameters

Additional Observations

15. A Longitudinal and Experimental Test of the Hierarchical Model of Attitude Change

Overview

Introduction

Change without Messages: The Internal Influence Model

Change with Messages: External Message Models

Stochastic Models

Estimation and Testing

Method

Results

Observations

Conclusion

16. Behaviors and Attitudes in Hierarchical Systems

Problems in Measuring Behavior

Literature Review

Implications of the Hierarchical Model for Message Design

Conclusion

17. Hierarchical Models from Other Theories

Introduction

Social Judgment and Dissonance Theories

Balance Theory

Congruity Theory

Reinforcement Theory: General Consideration

Reinforcement Theory: The Basic Model

Reinforcement Theory with Extinction

Extinction and Persuasive Messages

Reinforcement Theory: Conclusion

References

Index

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  • productDetails.edition: 1
  • book:metaData.latestEdition
  • productDetails.published: September 23, 2014
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