Attitudes direct a person’s analysis of an object or a situation. The individual can assess a positive or negative connotation to the object or situation. There are theories of affect, behavior, and cognition in regards to attitude formation. These theories lead one to question the benefits or purposes attitudes provide for the individual. Thinking about the purpose of attitudes lends to wondering if attitudes influence behavior. Attitudes can be considered on three different levels. Firstly, attitudes can be studied cognitively: How people use attitudes to deliberate or reason (Mostyn, 1978). Secondly attitudes may be studied through emotion: How people feel regarding attitude (Mostyn, 1978). Attitudes may also be assessed behaviorally: How
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Affect is defined as “the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes” (Merriam-Webster.com, 2014). Merriam-Webster (2014), also notes that affect is “a set of observable manifestations of a subjectively experienced emotion. Van den Berg, Manstead, Van der Plight, and Wigboldus (2005), conducted a study of the impact of affective and cognitive focus on attitude formation. They found that attitudes can be manipulated based upon the information provided (Van Den Berg, Manstead, Van der Plight, and Wigboldus, 2005). Operant conditioning, classical conditioning and mere exposure are the most notable ways in which attitudes are formed (Fazio & Olson, 2007). Operant conditioning when used in attitude formation is usually defined by the frequency of a response (Fazio & Olson, 2007). Attitudinal responses yielding positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated in the future than are responses yielding negative outcomes (Fazio & Olson, 2007). Classical conditioning differs from operant conditioning in that no obvious response is given (Fazio & Olson, 2007). Instead the internal …show more content…
Some, like the learning theorists believe that attitude precedes behavior (Mostyn, 1978). Others believe that attitudes are a product of behavior (Mostyn, 1978). The argument that attitudes are an effect of behavior stems from Bem’s 1972 Self-perception Theory (Mostyn, 1978). Bem’s theory states that the individual deduces his attitudes by perceiving his own behavior (Mostyn, 1978). Asking the question of which came first: the behavior or the attitude leads to the question of functionality of
Affect is defined as “the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes” (Merriam-Webster.com, 2014). Merriam-Webster (2014), also notes that affect is “a set of observable manifestations of a subjectively experienced emotion. Van den Berg, Manstead, Van der Plight, and Wigboldus (2005), conducted a study of the impact of affective and cognitive focus on attitude formation. They found that attitudes can be manipulated based upon the information provided (Van Den Berg, Manstead, Van der Plight, and Wigboldus, 2005). Operant conditioning, classical conditioning and mere exposure are the most notable ways in which attitudes are formed (Fazio & Olson, 2007). Operant conditioning when used in attitude formation is usually defined by the frequency of a response (Fazio & Olson, 2007). Attitudinal responses yielding positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated in the future than are responses yielding negative outcomes (Fazio & Olson, 2007). Classical conditioning differs from operant conditioning in that no obvious response is given (Fazio & Olson, 2007). Instead the internal …show more content…
Some, like the learning theorists believe that attitude precedes behavior (Mostyn, 1978). Others believe that attitudes are a product of behavior (Mostyn, 1978). The argument that attitudes are an effect of behavior stems from Bem’s 1972 Self-perception Theory (Mostyn, 1978). Bem’s theory states that the individual deduces his attitudes by perceiving his own behavior (Mostyn, 1978). Asking the question of which came first: the behavior or the attitude leads to the question of functionality of