Psychology 15 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Cognitive Dissonance, Fritz Heider, Automatic Behavior

• School: Harvard University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 15
• Professor: Christopher Greene

Document Summary

In many cases the real reasons for our attitudes are perfectly easy to identify and articulate, and in those cases introspection produces no rift between the variables we think are guiding our attitude and those that actually are. Attitudes are sometimes based on secondhand information: numerous studies have shown that attitudes based on direct (firsthand) experience predict subsequent behavior much better than those derived indirectly (secondhand) Overtime, mere outword behavior can give way to genuine inner conviction behavior can influence attitude: reflects the powerful tendency to justify or rationalize our behavior and to minimize any inconsistencies between our attitudes and actions. Balance theory: a theory holding that people try to maintain balance among their beliefs, cognitions, and sentiments (fritz heider) In a threesome, things are balanced if the product of the thee sentiments is positive. If the incentives are too great people will justify their behavior with the incentive. Japanese participants were unaffected by self affirmation manipulation.