Deck 5: The Power of Our Passsions: Theory and Research on Strong Attitudes

Question 1

____________ is the characteristic of strong attitudes that we tend to link them to our core values or the self.

A) Importance
B) Extremity
C) Accessibility
D) Ego-involvement

Answer 1

D

Question 2

________ is the principle that individuals push a somewhat disagreeable message away from their attitude, assuming it is more different than it really is.

A) Contrast effect
B) Assimilation
C) Social judgment
D) Ego-involvement

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The tendency to seek out communications that embrace one's worldview and to prefer information that is consistent with one's overall attitudes is _______.

A) Selective perception
B) Selective exposure
C) Social judgment
D) Priming

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The theory that people compare an advocated position with their attitude and then determine whether they should accept the position advocated in the message is called __________.

A) Assimilation
B) Priming
C) Social judgment
D) Attitude accessibility

Question 5

Research shows that __________, such as when the news disproportionately includes crime stories with African-American suspects, can activate pre-existing implicit stereotypes in some individuals by increasing the salience and accessibility of information of thoughts and feelings related to that stereotype. Thus, subsequent behaviors may be influenced by the initial stimulus from the news.

A) Priming
B) Selective exposure
C) Selective perception
D) Social judgment

Question 6

Gun control is mentioned several times in this chapter because it is contentious topic that elicits strong attitudes. The shootings in Aurora, Colorado, and Newtown, Connecticut have captured attention, bringing gun control to the center of the political stage. Research on strong attitudes suggests that these tragic, complex events may have been selectively perceived by partisans of different stripes, and perhaps lead to increased polarization of attitudes. Do you agree with this perspective? Why or why not? Provide examples from media coverage to support your response.

Question 7

Which approach to strong attitudes do you find the most intriguing: social judgment theory, accessibility theory, or the neuroscience approach? Why? How would you defend against the criticisms of that approach?

Question 8

Do you find information in this chapter to be encouraging or discouraging for persuaders? Defend your position.