PSYC 215 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Attitude Change, The Who, Immune System
28 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Functions of attitudes: the utilitarian function of attitudes, people become aware of their attitudes, aware of positive or negative info about attitude, attitude activated by goals, trigger actions that help us pursue our goals. Attitudes toward objects relevant to achieving said goals (library, books) become more positive (goal-relative behaviour ensues) Attitudes make us ready to achieve the goals that matter to us. Utilitarian function: alerts people to rewarding objects and situations they should approach; and costly or punishing objects or situations they should avoid. Humans have positive attitudes toward landscapes with water, open space, distant views because of the evolutionary advantages these attitudes conferred. Neutral objects can be modified by pairing them with a stimulus to either generate a positive or negative attitude: the ego-defensive function of attitudes. Ego-defensive function: protects us from unpleasant facts/emotions (contradictory information). Political conservatism is a form of ego-defensive cognition that helps people ward off certain anxieties.
