Topic 4.2: Attitude Formation and Attitude Change

According to the text, what are the three components of attitudes as identified by Kurt Lewin?

• Affects, Behaviors, Cognitions

• Beliefs, Emotions, Actions

• Thoughts, Feelings, Actions

• Perceptions, Reactions, Beliefs

What did Richard LaPierre's study reveal about prejudice and behavior?

• Prejudice always leads to discriminatory behavior.

• Prejudice is not influenced by social norms.

• People's stated attitudes always match their behaviors.

• Social norms can influence the discrepancy between attitudes and behaviors.

How do stereotypes function as cognitive shortcuts?

• They simplify decision-making by reducing cognitive load.

• They ensure fair treatment of all individuals.

• They eliminate the need for personal interaction.

• They always provide accurate information about individuals.

What is the primary difference between prejudice and discrimination?

• Prejudice is an attitude, while discrimination is a behavior.

• Prejudice and discrimination are the same.

• Prejudice is always positive, while discrimination is negative.

• Prejudice is a behavior, while discrimination is an attitude.

How can stereotypes negatively impact self-perception?

• They can create self-fulfilling prophecies that lower performance.

• They lead to increased performance in all areas.

• They have no impact on self-perception.

• They always boost self-esteem.

What role do implicit attitudes play in prejudice?

• They are always aligned with explicit attitudes.

• They operate at a conscious level and are easily expressed.

• They can lead to negative evaluations of others unconsciously.

• They have no impact on prejudice.

Why is it important to understand the effects of discrimination?

• It only impacts adults, not children.

• It can lead to mental and physical health problems.

• It only affects the feelings of individuals.

• It has no real-world consequences.

How can belief perseverance affect attitude change?

• It always leads to positive attitude change.

• It reinforces existing attitudes despite contradictory evidence.

• It makes it easier to change attitudes.

• It has no effect on attitude change.

What is a potential negative outcome of relying on stereotypes in decision-making?

• It can lead to overlooking individual differences.

• It ensures fair and unbiased decisions.

• It simplifies complex information without any drawbacks.

• It always results in accurate assessments.

How can cognitive dissonance influence attitude change?

• It can motivate individuals to change their attitudes to reduce discomfort.

• It reinforces existing attitudes.

• It always leads to negative attitude change.

• It has no effect on attitudes.